Two French firefighters were killed Saturday while battling a house fire in the Alpine town of Dignes-Les-Bains.
Officials told Franch24 that an immediate probe has been launched because one of those firefighters was only 16 years old.
Firefighter Yann Simeoni, who had responded to his first fire, was working with his 35 comrade when they were overcome when flames rapidly spread through the house.
Questions have been raised over why the young volunteer was sent to such a dangerous fire on his first call.
Local fire chiefs defended sending the teen citing regulations that allow 16-year-olds to be recruited, Simeoni's ongoing training and supervision by a veteran firefighter.
His grandfather said it was the young man's dream to become a firefighter.
"It was his future. Everything lay ahead of him," Roger Simeoni told the news station. "It was his first weekend on duty as a firefighter and it was his first fire.
"He was young and full of life. You never expect something like this will happen."
Firehouse.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
