Connecticut Firefighter Dies after Medical Emergency During House Fire

Burlington firefighter collapsed on fireground two days earlier

Bill Carey
12 August 2021

BURLINGTON, Connecticut – A Connecticut volunteer firefighter has died after suffering a medical emergency during a fire on Tuesday.

Firefighters responded to a fire in New Hartford involving a mixed-use structure. Burlington firefighter Colin McFadden collapsed on the scene and was transported to John Dempsey Hospital.

#BREAKING Large fire on Bridge St in #NewHartford. Live report coming up on @NBCConnecticut Photo credit: Jon Barbagallo https://t.co/184OqVKar1 #NBCCT pic.twitter.com/OCR5UqXqNg
— Jennifer Joas NBC CT (@JenniferJoas) August 10, 2021

News reports following up on the Tuesday fire stated that Firefighter McFadden, 26, had undergone surgery and was listed in critical condition. Hospital staff stated that during the surgery it was discovered that McFadden had a previously undiagnosed medical condition that had caused the sudden illness.

On Thursday fire department officials stated that McFadden had passed away. The undiagnosed condition was reported to be acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Photograph courtesy of WFSB 3, YouTube.

Published by Data Not Drama

Data Not Drama is writings that provide a point of critical thought about firefighter fatality data and education, line of duty deaths, and risk. The main focus is to encourage less risk aversion and better knowledge on the subject of firefighter fatalities in firefighters, fire departments, and fire service organizations. View more posts