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.

A firefighter suffered a heart attack working a fire in Paulding County, authorities said. (Credit:  Paulding County Fire and Rescue)
icon to expand image

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.

In other news:

Deputies tell another story

About the Author

Keep Reading

Two Powerball tickets that won $150,000 each in the drawing held Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, were sold in Georgia — one online and another in Griffin, according to a Georgia Lottery spokesperson. (AJC file)

Featured

An aerial view captures a large area under construction for a new data center campus on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Developed by QTS, the data center campus near Fayetteville is one of the largest under construction in Georgia. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez