USFA On-Duty Death: Missouri

United States Fire Administration
14 January 2022

The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Firefighter Benjamin Polson, 33, of the St. Louis Fire Department on 13 January 2022.

On Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, St. Louis Fire Department firefighters responded to the 5900 block of Cote Brilliante Avenue. The multi-story building, designated as vacant by the city, was being consumed by fire. Firefighters had put out the flames on the first floor and were checking to make sure no one was on the second floor when they decided to turn back because of the intensity of the fire. As they were leaving, the building’s roof and top story collapsed, burying Firefighter Benjamin Polson. He passed away at the scene. Two other firefighters were injured and taken to the local hospital where they were treated and released.

Age: 33
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Career
Incident date: January 13, 2022 11:45 a.m.
Date of death: January 13, 2022
Cause of death: Collapse
Nature of death: Crushed
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Vacant Property

The number of on-duty deaths for 2022 currently is 6.

Go here to read the numbers of on-duty deaths due to COVID-19.

Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.

For more information about on-duty deaths as recorded by the United States Fire Administration go to “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.”