The fire chief of one of the cities suffering the most destruction from the Texas Panhandle wildfires that have been raging for more than a week died Tuesday.
Fritch Fire Department Chief Zeb Smith responded about 7 a.m. to a structure fire at a home, where he entered the residence but did not exit, City of Borger and Hutchinson County Office of Emergency Management spokesperson Brandon Strope said during a news conference. He was the first person at the scene.
Smith, 40, was found nearly a half-hour later by a rapid intervention team, which rendered emergency medical aid, before Smith was transported to the Golden Plains Community Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
A cause of death has yet to be determined, pending results of an autopsy. The fire was not related to the historic blazes burning across the Panhandle.
Local officials including Hutchinson County Judge Cindy Irwin, Stinnett Fire Department Chief Alan Wells and Fritch Mayor Tom Ray each shared tearful remarks about Smith.
“It was his dedication to his duty that ultimately led to his death,” Irwin said. “Just as we’ve come together to support one another during these wildfires, we’ll continue to support the family of Chief Smith. May God bless our firefighters.”
Wells called Smith a true leader and public servant, adding he was widely known throughout the Panhandle and state from the many trainings he attended.
Ray, who said Smith was like a son to him, said Smith began with the Fritch Fire Department in 2017 before quickly rising up the ranks to chief in 2020.
“While this structure fire did not start from the millions of acres that have burned in the last nine days, (Smith) and his team were out every day, most nights, got very little sleep and just selflessly went out and did everything they could to save their community and keep us in tact,” Strope said to conclude the news conference.
“Chief Zeb Smith served the Fritch and Hutchinson County community with selflessness and dedication,” a post from the City of Borger and Hutchinson County Office of Emergency Management’s Facebook account said. “His exemplary leadership was evident in his tireless efforts over the past week, where he worked diligently to protect and safeguard his community and fellow citizens.”
The Fritch Volunteer Fire Department shared the post and wrote, “Just know that right now we are not OK. We love our chief, our brother, our friend. Please be patient with us.”
Details regarding a memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Leaders from across the state, including U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, offered condolences to Smith’s loved ones.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of our courageous frontline heroes in the Texas Panhandle,” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said in a statement. “Fritch Fire Chief Zeb Smith made the ultimate sacrifice while battling to contain the devastation plaguing our community. ... Today, as we mourn the loss of Chief Smith, let us honor his bravery and the selflessness of all our emergency personnel who continue to risk their lives to keep us safe.”
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