KY FF Dies after Collapsing at Fire

Members of a Kentucky fire department are mourning the loss of a beloved firefighter.

Ballardsville Fire Sgt. Thomas Petschke Jr., 53, collapsed at a fire Saturday night in Oldham County.

Fellow firefighters in emergency apparatus escorted him from the hospital to the medical examiner's office, WLKY reported.

On Sunday afternoon, firefighters saluted as his flag-draped body was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a funeral home. 

Ballardsville Fire Chief Stephen Fante praised his friend, not only for his dedication to his family, but to the department.

"Tom was a husband, a father, a son, a man of God and a firefighter. Tom was a hard-working entrepreneur, a small business owner and a servant of this community. He was an example of a volunteer fireman, always trying to expand his knowledge and serve the community the best he could."

Funeral services have not been announced.