A 28-year-old volunteer firefighter in Michigan, who was also an ex-Marine and a father, died in a freak accident during an ice storm. In the course of his duties, a tree fell and loosed a live power line that struck and electrocuted him.
Volunteer firefighter killed in freak accident during ice storm
As an ice storm ripped across the country on Wednesday, more than 200,000 Consumers Energy customers in Michigan were without power.
In the community of Paw Paw, Michigan, members of the Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call in the evening about a tree that fell on a power line, said Special Lt. DuWayne Robinson of the Michigan State police during a news briefing, Star-Telegram reported.
As members of the fire department were handling the power line, a separate tree broke and took down another high-voltage line, according to Paw Paw Fire Chief Jim DeGroff IV.
As the high-voltage line came loose, it struck 28-year-old volunteer firefighter Lt. Ethan Quillen. He was rushed to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to a statement from the U.S. Fire Administration.
The death of Quillen is being investigated as an accident, Robinson said.
According to chief DeGroff, the accident was “absolutely no fault of Ethan’s or anyone’s.”
Ex-Marine gave his life for community and country
The Paw Paw Fire Department is one of only a few in the state that are solely dependent on volunteers, according to its website.
Ethan Quillen served in the US Marine Corps and is survived by his wife and a young child, state police said, WWMT reported.
Authorities lined up on John Street to remember Quillen on Wednesday night, and a memorial was set up on Thursday outside of the Paw Paw Fire Department. Friends and family came together at the memorial to place flowers by Quillen’s boots, hat and jacket, which sits folded with his name on it.
Senator Aric Nesbitt posted a statement and a photo of the memorial on Twitter. “My heart and prayers are with the family of Lt. Ethan Quillen, as well as those that served with and knew him. Our communities are blessed by our brave first responders who put the needs of others before their own. May God be with his family during this difficult time.”
“He volunteered his time here for free,” Chief DeGroff said in a news briefing. “He gave his life for free.”
A GoFundMe page set up by the Paw Paw Fire Department and described Quillen as a “beloved husband, father, son, friend, Marine and dedicated firefighter,” People reported.
“Ethan was selfless, kind, loving, hardworking, and so much more,” a statement on the GoFundMe page read. “Firefighter Ethan Quillen will always be remembered for his endless love for his wife and daughter. For his love for his country and his community.”
