One Firefighter Dead, One Injured in McDowell County
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on February 18, 2025
One firefighter has died, and another was injured while responding to a structure fire in McDowell County, WV.
On Monday, February 17, 2025, at approximately 7:25 P.M., McDowell County 911 received a report of a structure fire in the 12000 block of Marshall Highway in Jolo, WV. They immediately dispatched the Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department, Raysal Volunteer Fire Department and War Volunteer Fire Department.
Once en route, a member of the War VFD became ill and stated to the driver of the fire apparatus that he needed medical attention. The driver immediately turned the fire apparatus around and started driving in the direction of Welch Community Hospital. They met up with an EMS unit and transferred the firefighter to that unit. The EMS unit continued to Welch Community Hospital with the firefighter. While in transit to the hospital the firefighter became unconscious, and CPR efforts were initiated by the attending EMS crew. The firefighter was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
At the fire scene, a Bradshaw VFD firefighter collapsed with difficulty breathing and smoke inhalation. That firefighter was transported to a landing zone in Iaeger where he was loaded onto an aeromedical helicopter and flown to CAMC General Division in Charleston.
The firefighter from War VFD is Deputy Chief Jeffrey Lawson, 54 years old, from War, WV. He has been transported to the WV Office of Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. The firefighter who collapsed at the scene is Gary M. Coleman, 51 years old, from Jolo, WV. He has been treated and released overnight at CAMC General Division. The structure that was on fire is also the residence of Mr. Coleman.
The death of Deputy Chief Jeffrey Lawson is being considered a Line of Duty Death by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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