NELSONVILLE, Ohio — A firefighter in Athens County died Sunday evening while battling a house fire.
The Nelsonville Division of Fire said senior firefighter Jeff Armes collapsed and died at around 5 p.m.
“Firefighters and EMS administered CPR and advanced life support care immediately,” the department said in a statement. “Armes was transported by Athens County EMS to OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital in Athens where he was pronounced dead.”
Nelsonville Fire Chief Harry Barber informed the department of the line of duty death and asked everyone to “please keep all our firefighters and their families in your thoughts and prayers as we work through this difficult time.”
Brian Wheaton, whose house fire Armes was battling, said that the firefighter died while saving a family.
“This man lost his life today fighting to put the fire at my house out,” Wheaton said. “I am eternally grateful for his services and am deeply saddened by the tragedy that happened today. Sir, my family thanks you from the bottom of their hearts. You died today making sure that my family did not and there will never be enough words for me to say thank you.”
The city manager called for unity during this grief-stricken time.
“This is a day that we have all dreaded in our minds. We are keenly aware of the dangers of our public safety professionals, but we all have hoped they would continue to be looked over and protected,” said Scott Frank, Nelsonville City Manager. “Now that tragedy has stricken our city, we must not fall apart but stand strong and band together to support the Armes family and those who are closest to them.”
Armes’ cause of death is still under investigation.