N.C. Firefighter Killed Battling Four-Alarmer

July 28, 2011
An Asheville firefighter was killed while battling a blaze at a medical building Thursday.

An Asheville firefighter was killed while battling a four-alarm blaze at a medical building Thursday afternoon and eight other firefighters were injured.

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Capt. Jeff Bowen, 37, went into cardiac arrest after succumbing to smoke- and heat-related injuries, according to The Asheville Citizen-Times.

Firefighter Jay Bettencourt was transported to a burn center in Augusta, Ga., for treatment and was listed in stable condition.

Seven other firefighters were taken to Mission Hospital for treatment of heat exposure and other injuries.

Bowen, a 13-year veteran of the department, is survived by his wife Stacy and their three children.

"We are devastated by the loss of our brother Jeff," Fire Chief Scott Burnette said at the news conference. “He dedicated himself to protecting the people of Asheville, and this is a terrible tragedy for our city, for all of us in the Asheville Fire Department, and most importantly, for his wife Stacy. We are praying for her, and offer our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him as we did.

"Jeff was a hero whose sacrifice will be forever honored."

Crews responded to the fire at 445 Biltmore Avenue at approximately 12:30 p.m.

The fire broke out on the top floors of the five-story building that houses medical offices and more than 200 people were evacuated.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This was the city's first four-alarm fire in more than 30 years.

Funeral Information

Visitation for Firefighter Bowen will be held on Monday, Aug. 1 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden, N.C.

Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 11 a.m. at the church.

Firehouse.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

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