Firefighters Pay Tribute To Two Killed in Ohio Silo Explosion

Oct. 1, 2003
Hundreds of firefighters will gather Friday night to remember two volunteers who died while battling a silo fire Wednesday.
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NEW KNOXVILLE, Ohio - Hundreds of firefighters will gather tonight to remember two volunteers who died while battling a silo fire Wednesday.

The special firefighter memorial will be held at 6 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Church in New Bremen in honor of Kenneth Jutte, 44. A second service for firefighter John Garman, 42, whose father and brother were also firefighters, will be held at the same place and time on Sunday.

New Bremen Chief Bob Kuck said he received an outpouring of support from fire officials across Ohio and Indiana, who want to help or just attend the memorials.

"We always knew we were a great brotherhood," the chief said yesterday. "We come together in times of need."

Mr. Jutte and Mr. Garman died when the roof of a concrete silo at Hoge Lumber, about 90 miles southwest of Toledo in Auglaize County, exploded below them as they were fighting a fire in a silo full of sawdust. The explosion sent the men 75 feet to the ground.

Seven more firefighters and two owners of the company, Jack and John Hoge, were injured in the blast.

The cause of the fire and explosion remain under investigation by the state fire marshal

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