A 31-year-old volunteer firefighter died of an apparent heart attack early Wednesday after helping put out a house fire in Butler the night before.
Travis Lee Miller had been a firefighter with the Waterloo-Grant Township Fire Department for five years.
"He was a great guy. He was always here training with us. He worked with the other guys," Fire Chief Kirby Hobbs said. "He never asked why or how much. He was just here."
Hobbs' department arrived at 6:47 p.m. Tuesday to help the Butler Fire Department battle a fire at 418 N. Pearl St. in Butler. The chief said the fire was not unusual except for the extreme heat.
Hobbs could not say whether the heat or other factors at the fire scene contributed to Miller's death. He said there was water for firefighters to drink and that they make a habit of taking breaks.
After the fire, Hobbs said, Miller went home, and about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday he told his wife he was going to bed. About 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, first responders came to Miller's home and found him dead, authorities said. Fire officials said it appeared Miller died of a heart attack. Autopsy results are pending.
Supporting Heroes - a group that aids families of fallen police, firefighters and paramedics - issued a statement that said Miller had died in the line of duty. He leaves behind his wife, Amy.
An online profile created by Miller said he worked at an auto parts plant. In the profile, he explained why he was a firefighter.
"Because (too) many people I love and care for have either died or been injured or lost everything in a fire or accident or something medical. And I love to help other people in every way I can possible," he wrote.
