Blaze Ignited By Children Playing With Matches; Cause of Death Not Yet Released

Updated: Saturday, July 31, 1999 - 6 p.m.

Firehouse.Com News

A veteran Philadelphia firefighter lost his life late Thursday night battling a house fire ignited by children playing with matches, Fire Commissioner Harold B. Hairston said.

Richard Devine, 49, assigned to first-due engine company Pipeline 28, knocked down a small bedroom fire in a rowhouse in the 2000 block of Westmoreland Street. After exiting the house for a break and then returning, he collapsed.

Devine was a 10-year veteran of the Department. His brother, Joseph, is a Lieutenant assigned to Ladder 20. Richard Devine is also survived by his wife and daughter.

The cause of death was not immediately known, pending the outcome of an autopsy. A heart attack or other medical illness was suspected.

Engine 28 (also known as Pipeline 28), was dispatched at 8:37 p.m. for a dwelling fire at 2043 East Westmoreland Street in the city's Kensington section. Devine was the assigned nozzle man and during the firefighting operation he extinguished all of the visible fire that originated in the second floor, front bedroom.

After the visible fire was extinguished, Devine proceeded to the outside of the dwelling to take a break. He sat on the rear step of Engine 28's apparatus for a short time. After the break, he returned to the dwelling to assist fellow firefighters in overhauling. During this operation, he suddenly collapsed.

Fellow fire fighters performed CPR and Medic 8 was dispatched to the scene. Paramedics initiated ALS and transported Devine to nearby Northeast Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Devine was appointed to the Department on December 12, 1988. After completing his training at the Fire Academy included Engine 60, Engine 7, Engine 24 and Engine 53. He was assigned to Engine 28 on November 9, 1994. During his service to the department, Devine received a Unit Citation as a member of Engine Company 53 for rescuing four trapped occupants of a burning, three story rooming house.

In May, a Philadelphia firefighter also collapsed and died after battling a rowhouse fire. Eric Casiano, 41, of Engine Company 2, died of internal bleeding after apparantly injuring his spine when he fell through a hole in the floor during the early morning fire.

Hairston said the blaze was ignited by children playing with matches.

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