Firefighter has heart attack working fire in Paulding County

A Paulding County firefighter suffered a heart attack while working a tractor-trailer fire Thursday.

Sgt. Kevin Van Dyke, 41, remains in intensive care in critical but stable condition, Paulding County Fire and Rescue spokesman Steve Mapes said.

The incident started about 8:40 p.m. in the 3800 block of Atlanta Highway.

When a crew arrived, the tractor-trailer —with placards on it warning it carries flammable liquids — was engulfed in flames, Mapes said.

Additional fire crews were called to the scene and arrived in minutes, Mapes said.

Van Dyke, a 10-year fire veteran, fell unconscious and stopped breathing about 9:15 p.m.

Other firefighters immediately started CPR on the man, then used a defibrillator to resuscitate him, Mapes said.

Van Dyke was taken to WellStar Paulding Hospital, where he was stabilized and transfered to WellStar Kennestone Hospital.

His family has asked the public to pray for him, Mapes said.

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