An Australian firefighter was killed while battling a hotel fire in Cobar.
Fire and Rescue NSW Firefighter Daniel Howard died after a wall collapsed on him as he fought the fire at the New Occidental Hotel on Marshall Street, ABC Australia reported.
"The officer was taken by ambulance to Dubbo Base Hospital where he was pronounced deceased," NSW Minister for Emergency Services Stuart Ayres told reporters. "As a member of Fire and Rescue NSW, this man selflessly dedicated his life to the safety of his community."
"Cobar, being a very small but very close community, will feel this for a long time and I can definitely vouch, he'll never be forgotten," a friend, Darran Wells said.
The region's CISM team responded along with Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins.
"Today we have lost a dedicated firefighter, committed to protecting his community. He lost his life protecting other people in his community and on behalf of all members of Fire and Rescue NSW, I extend our deepest sympathies to firefighters, family and friends."
Police said everyone inside the two-story hotel had been accounted for.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-17/firefighter-dies-in-cobar-hotel-blaze/5676620
