A 36-year-old firefighter was killed in the line of duty today in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration firefighter fatality report, Firefighter Joyce Craig-Lewis was one of several firefighters that were first to respond to a residential fire in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia at around 0249 hours.
Upon arrival at 0253 hours, the firefighters advanced a hose into the basement of the house to fight the fire. As reinforcement arrived, a change in tactics was ordered and the first group of firefighters started to withdraw from the basement. During this time, Firefighter Craig-Lewis became trapped.
She was rescued by fellow firefighters and, with no vital signs, was transported to Albert Einstein Medical Center where she was pronounced dead at approximately 0400 hours. Investigation into the incident and cause of death continues. Firefighter Craig-Lewis is Philadelphia’s first female firefighter to die while on duty.
