A veteran Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services firefighter died in a house fire where a mayday was called in Ijamsville Wednesday evening.
Firefighters were called to the 9500 block of Ball Road and found fire coming from the roof of the large home around 5 p.m.
Captain Joshua Laird was part of the first-due crew from the Green Valley Fire Station when he entered the home, according to the Frederick News-Post.
Laird, 42, fell through the floor as the crew brought a line into the structure.
In radio traffic from the scene (listen below), Laird firefighter radioed "Tell my family I love them" about six minutes after the mayday was declared.
Firefighters rescued Laird from the home and began immediate treatment at the scene. He was transported to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital by the Maryland State Police helicopter where he succumbed to his injuries.
“The void that he leaves behind will never be filled,” Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services Chief Tom Coe told the newspaper.
Coe said Laird was a “beloved husband, father, son, friend and mentor.”
Listen to audio from the scene:
"Today, tragedy has befallen our family,” IAFF President Stephen Jones told the newspaper. “While we are keenly aware of the dangers of our profession, every day we put on our uniform with the hope that we will safely return home. We stand ready to support the Laird family, and each other, as we grieve this loss."
As crews worked to battle the blaze, tankers were requested from Howard and Montgomery counties were called to shuttle water to the scene.
Fire officials believe the fire started following a lightning strike.
