A South Carolina deputy diagnosed with severe smoke inhalation after a March fire died Sunday morning.
Horry County Deputy Tim Causey died at 9 a.m. at Medical University of South Carolina, the department announced on its Facebook page.
Causey fell ill after standing guard at the Windsor Green condos fire in March. He was diagnosed with acute smoke inhalation, and respiratory failure, according to previously published news reports.
After being transfered to MUSC, he also was diagnosed with swine flu. He was placed in a medically-induced coma.
The wildland fire spread quickly and destroyed about 100 condos in the Windsor Green development at Waterford Plantation.
In a prepared statement Sunday, Horry fire officials said: "Horry County Fire Rescue is deeply saddened by the news of the loss of Horry County Sheriff’s Deputy, Tim Causey."
"It was apparent during the Windsor Green Fires that Deputy Causey had not only a passion for the betterment of the community he served, but for those he worked along side of as well.
"Deputy Causey will be deeply missed, but will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his immediate family, as well as his brothers and sisters in service," the statement concluded.
Reports indicated Causey patrolled the area after the blaze for three days before feeling ill.
No other responders to the massive, destructive wildland fire have complained of illnesses.
