Lexington firefighters are mourning the loss of a fire captain who died three days after he sustained critical burns at a house fire.
The department Friday announced that Capt. Ronnie Metcalf succumbed to his injuries at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, the fire department shared in a statement.
Metcalf was a 19-year veteran of the department.
Crews were called to a fire at 306 W. 5th St. just after midnight, finding flames coming from the back of the home and began an offensive attack.
After a few minutes, crews were ordered to evacuate the structure.
It was determined that one firefighter was missing and crews returned to the structure to search for the missing member.
They located Metcalf, and worked to extricate him.
Metcalf sustained burn wounds on 60-percent of his body and was transported by helicopter to the hospital.
According to the department, Metcalf was married, and a father. You can help his family here.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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