LODDS

Belfry, KY, Firefighter Dies During Mutual Aid Fire

Sept. 6, 2024

Belfry firefighter Darrell Helton told a colleague he felt fluttering in his heart before he collapsed.

A memorial has been set up for Darrell Helton on a Belfry fire apparatus after he suffered a possible heart attack during a fire Wednesday night.

A Belfry firefighter is thought to have suffered a fatal heart attack Wednesday night while shuttling water to a McCarr fire scene.

Darrell Helton, 49, told another firefighter he felt fluttering in his chest when he was driving the tanker during the mutual aid fire call, according to WCHSTV.com.

He collapsed after he sat down on the fire apparatus, WKTY.com reports.

Colleagues on scene began resuscitation efforts, including CPR, immediately. The efforts were unsuccessful.

"It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that we bring the news of the passing of one of our Brothers. Firefighter Darrell Helton unit 953 passed away last night on a call for mutual aid for a neighboring fire department. Please keep the Helton family as well as our fire department in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead," the department shared in a Facebook statement.

About the Author

Peter Matthews | Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director

Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department.