Inside:
Post/View Condolences
HEATHER CASEY
Firehouse.com News
Photo Courtesy of Newark Fire Department
|
A Newark firefighter collapsed and died at a two-alarm structure fire
Tuesday, and two other firefighters suffered minor injuries, Newark fire
officials said.
Lawrence Webb, 37, was a 15-year veteran of the department.
He was at a second alarm fire at a two and a half story house reported at
about 4:15 p.m., said fire department spokesman Matt Greimel.
"While he was fighting the fire he had an apparent heart attack," Greimel
said. "He was rescued from the building under cardiac arrest and transported
to Clara Maass Hospital, where at 5:03 he was pronounced dead from the heart
attack."
Two other firefighters suffered injuries while working in the same area of
the structure as Webb, on the top floor. Greimel said the conditions there
were very smoky and hot.
The injured firefighters were Noel Santiago and Mustafaa Abdul-Haqq.
Santiago suffered chest pain and smoke inhalation and was admitted to
University Hospital in Newark, Greimel said. Abdul-Haqq suffered injuries to
his left knee and right shoulder, and was treated and released from the
hospital.
Greimel said he doesn’t know whether the firefighters’ injuries were related
to rescuing Webb. "They were right next to him. It could have been," he
said.
Webb is survived by his father Willie Webb, a retired captain of the Newark
Fire Department, and his brother, who just became a firefighter last year.
"He was the sweetest guy you’d ever want to meet," said one Newark
firefighter. "He always wanted to help somebody and he was a good guy to be
around."
The cause of the fire is under investigation, Greimel said.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Viewing will be at St. James A.M.E. Church, on Court Street between Dr. Martin
Luther King Blvd and Shipman Street on Friday, May 25 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.
The funeral will be held Saturday, May 26 at 10:00 AM at St. James A.M.E.
Church. For traffic control, please no fire apparatus.
Related:
