Firefighter dies while responding to fire
The 22-year-old apparently suffered a heart attack while on his way to the scene
By EMS1 Staff
MATTAWAN, Mich. — A Mich. firefighter died Tuesday night after falling ill while responding to a fire.
Mattawan Firefighter Nate Fruin,22, was in full cardiac arrest by the time first responders reached his vehicles, just a quarter mile from the station, according to Mlive.
Firefighter Fruin was with another firefighter on their way to bring water and refreshments to firefighters battling a blaze when Firefighter Fruin's partner called to report a medical emergency.
Efforts to revive Firefighter Fruin were unsuccessful and he later died at the hospital.
Firefighter Fruin joined the department in 2009 after he graduated high school and was well-liked by his brothers and sisters as well as her former classmates.
"He was a very caring person," Captain Scott Brooks said.
According to Chief Terron McLean, Firefighter Fruin had no history of heart problems and was a "healthy kid."
Firefighter Fruin's death will be classified as being in the line-of-duty.
