Volunteer Firefighter Dies Battling Blaze
Cause Of Death Unknown, Officials Say
POSTED: 4:39 pm PDT July 3,
2008
UPDATED: 8:59 pm PDT July 3,
2008
UKIAH, Calif. -- A volunteer firefighter has died after collapsing while battling a blaze in Mendocino County.The Anderson Valley Fire Department said 63-year-old Robert Roland died during the early morning hours Thursday.Roland suffered respiratory distress Wednesday while working the Oso Fire and was brought to Ukiah Valley Medical Center, according to a news release.Ballantine said the all-volunteer squad of 41 firefighters is battling a 550-acre blaze, one of hundreds started by recent lightning storms.Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released a statement saying he is "deeply saddened" by Roland's death and that flags at the state Capitol will fly at half-staff to honor the firefighter.
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