A Coweta County firefighter died hours after he battled an early morning house fire.
Firefighter-paramedic Michael Norton, 38, responded to a house around 3:30 a.m. on March 1.
Several hours later while at home, Norton was found by his wife in medical distress, according to a release from the U.S. Fire Administration.
He was transported to the hospital where he later passed away.
The cause of his death has not been released.
"There are no words that can describe the grief and sadness that is being felt by our department this morning," Fire Chief Deron Wilson said in a statement. "Michael Norton was a seventeen year veteran of the Coweta County Fire Rescue Department and will always be remembered as true and humble servant to the citizens, visitors of Coweta County."
"Michael Norton was a passionate and dedicated husband, father, son, brother and friend to so many. Michael has been a pillar of the Coweta County Fire Rescue Department; his dedication to the fire service will be forever felt and never forgotten."
Norton is survived by his wife Britney and daughter Braelinn.
