Cause Of Death Determined For Fallen Firefighters
Investigators Await Cause Of Fire
Posted: 9:38 a.m. EDT August 1, 2002
Updated: 12:41 p.m. EDT August 1, 2002
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Officials determined the cause of death for two
Osceola County firefighters killed on Tuesday.
County Commission Chairman Paul Owen told WESH NewsChannel 2 they died of
smoke inhalation and thermal burns, which is consistent with a flashover. \
A firefighter who took part in the deadly training exercise said he
believes those who died were taken by total surprise.
Lt. Joe Long was at the old Florida Bible College, and he was part of a
three-man hose team that entered right behind Lt. John Mickel and Dallas
Begg, the two men who lost their lives, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.
Because of the thick smoke and intense heat, Long said the firefighters
didn't find out right away that the victims had gone down, and based on
where they were found, he doesn't think either had a chance to escape the
deadly heat that may have resulted in a flashover.
"There had to be no time for them to react. John was a big, strong, tough
guy. If he had time to react, he would have been moving. He wouldn't have
had a problem jumping out the window if he had to, but there was no time at
all for him to react," Long said.
The state fire marshal's office has not yet come up with an official
cause of the accident.
Meanwhile, a friend who graduated with Begg talked about the loss
Wednesday.
"To lose somebody so close, so fast was just not fair," Leo McDermott
said.
McDermott graduated with Begg just three months ago. For six months, they
were together in the fire academy.
"He was a real fun guy. He was a smart guy. He brought a lot of his
experience as a volunteer to the academy with him, and he helped a lot of us
out. A lot of us who didn't have prior firefighting experience or knowledge,
he helped a lot of us out," McDermott said.
The funeral for Begg
is Monday at the Tupperware Center. Mickel's service will be
Saturday morning at Holy Redeemer Church in Kissimmee.
Osceola County has established a trust fund for the families of
Mickel and Begg. Donations can be make at any First National Bank.
 To
comment on this story, send an e-mail to
Bob Kealing.
|
