Second Bryan TX Firefighter Dies in Line of Duty

A second firefighter died Saturday from the injuries he sustained while fighting a fire Friday night in Bryan (TX), reports WFAA.com.

Lt. Gregory Pickard, 54, was being treated at the burn unit at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He was sent there early Saturday morning along with fellow firefighters Ricky Mantey Jr., 30, and 21-year-old Mitchel Moran.

A doctor at the burn unit said Saturday afternoon that the surviving firefighters may be hospitalized for more than a month due to their injuries.

Pickard has been with BFD for 32 years, according to the city of Bryan.
Lt. Eric Wallace, 36, died while fighting the fire which began at about 11:20 p.m. Friday.

Firefighters from Bryan and nearby College Station were called to the scene to battle the fire.

City spokeswoman Mary Stratta said Wallace’s team went into the structure, but was ordered to evacuate.

Wallace didn’t come out and called for help, saying he was low on air. She said rapid response units found Wallace, a 13-year veteran of the department, inside.

An early report indicated Wallace became trapped when a portion of the roof collapsed.

The Texas State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating. The hall was vacant at the time of the fire.

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