The death of a 20-year-old fireman while on duty was revealed by the Hickory Fire Department on Friday.
Matt Hutchinson, the fire chief of Hickory, posted the following statement on Facebook:
“It is with a heavy heart that I deliver the news that no fire chief ever wants to deliver. Yesterday we lost one of our own, Hickory Firefighter Jake Bridges, while on duty. We are working with our state partner agencies to gain a better understanding of this tragedy.”
The fire department reports that at approximately 1:49 a.m. on Thursday, firefighters from Hickory were called to a structure fire. At around 4:52 a.m., crews cleared the area and put out the fire.
Bridges, 20, had a “medical emergency” at the fire station at approximately 5:08 a.m. and was sent to a nearby hospital, where he passed away, according to the fire department.
According to the fire department, Bridges graduated from the Gaston College Fire Academy in 2022 and began working for the Hickory Fire Department in June 2023 as a qualified Level II Firefighter and EMT.
Bridges “exhibited his passion for the firefighting profession and dedication to the community,” according to the Hickory Fire Department.
“The Hickory Fire Department grieves this tragic loss and mourns with Jake’s family, friends, and the community,” the fire department wrote via Facebook post.
