US Virgin Islands Firefighter Dies During Response

A firefighter with the U.S. Virgin Islands Fire Service died of an apparent cardiac event after collapsing during efforts to tame a structure fire.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Driver/Operator Dwayne "Yogi" Thomas, 57, had driven a tanker to the fire scene on the island of St. Croix early on the morning of Jan. 24 and assisted with forced entry into the burning building.

Thomas, a veteran with 22 years of service, then returned to his apparatus while other engines were arriving on scene to set up the water supply. Shortly afterward, he was found unresponsive by fellow first responders.

Colleagues quickly attended to him, but Thomas died from an apparent heart attack while en route to a hospital.