The Missouri Fire Service is reporting a death in the line of duty for a firefighter responding to a call Sunday morning in rural Livingston County.
The fire service reported the death of Ed Cosgrove of the Green Township Fire Protection District, five miles west of Chillicothe. Cosgrove is described as a 15 year veteran of the fire department.
Sheriff Steve Cox has reported the first responder experienced a medical emergency and collapsed at the scene of a recreational vehicle fire. He received medical care including CPR and first aid at the scene until Chillicothe Department of Emergency Services arrived and transported him to Hedrick Medical Center in Chillicothe where he died.
More information on the line of duty death is to be released by the Missouri Fire Service Funeral Assistance Team as it becomes available.
Their website reported Firefighter Cosgrove’s death is classified in the line of duty pursuant to the provisions of the Hometown Heroes Act. In general, if a person suffers a heart attack, stroke, or vascular rupture that later proves fatal within 24 hours of stressful or strenuous duty, it’s presumed to have occurred in the line of duty – absent compelling medical evidence to the contrary.
Sheriff Steve Cox, in his news release Sunday, said that an RV caught fire near Utica. Livingston county deputy Dustin Woelfle arrived to provide assistance.
The driver reported having removed propane tanks from the RV. Subsequently, the RV owner reported to the deputy that may be some small propane bottles inside the camper.
While the deputy was stopped at the scene, it was reported at least one small propane bottle explored and went through the side of the camper.
