Texas Firewalkers

We regret to advise you that an Asheville (North Carolina) Fire Captain has died in the line of Duty after a fire in a medical building near Asheville's Mission Hospital. Captain Jeffrey Bowen was killed in the Line of Duty, 2 other Firefighters have been transported to the burn center in Augusta, Georgia and 6 other Firefighters are being treated for heat-related illness at Mission Hill.

Fire companies responded to the building fire at 445 Biltmore Avenue just after noon, today. Fire was showing from windows on the 5th floor of the building, which houses related medical practices and clinics.  Around 1330 hours a "mayday" call went out over fire radio and there were MAYDAY reports of "firefighters down" in 2 different locations. A few minutes later, command ordered all members out of the building so they could do an accountability check/PAR. Firefighters then hit the fire from the exterior and it was knocked down just before 1500 hours.
Much more to follow as we offer our condolences to all affected.