DES MOINES, Iowa -- Battling flames and smoke is part of the danger of being a firefighter, but there are other dangers, one of which cost a Des Moines firefighter his life.Kirk Pederson spent 15 years as a member of the Des Moines Fire Department. He lost his battle with invasive cancer Monday afternoon. To honor him, fire stations across Des Moines will fly their flags at half staff for the next month.Family spokesman Dan Lamb said Peterson was a fitness buff who never smoked.
