NEWTON, W.Va. — A Roane County volunteer firefighter was killed while responding to a fire Saturday afternoon.
The fire truck wreck occurred on Big Sandy Road near Newton at around 2 p.m. The victim, identified in a City of Spencer Facebook post as Mark Horwich, was a member of the Clover Volunteer Fire Department.
“Unfortunately our community has been no stranger to tragedy as of late, and Saturday, January 11, 2020, it struck again. We lost a brave member of the Spencer Roane Volunteer Fire Department, a father, a husband, and wonderful resident of Spencer when his firetruck left the road and his life was ended far too soon while responding to a fire,” the Facebook post said. “His family, his fire department, and our community is devastated by this sudden tragedy. From all of us at the City of Spencer, we extend our sincerest condolences to the loved ones of Mark Horwich. You have our hearts.”
“We ask that residents join us in lowering flags to half staff Monday through Friday in a show of grief, honor, and respect for Mark Horwich,” the post said. “We are so grateful for our service personnel of all departments and are deeply moved by the loss of fireman Horwich in the line of duty. We acknowledge the danger you put yourselves in when the call for help goes out and appreciate your sacrifice. Again, our sincere condolences and sympathies.”
Gov. Jim Justice tweeted his condolences Saturday night calling firefighters some of the bravest West Virginians.
“We lost one of these brave men tonight at the Clover VFD in Roane County,” Justice wrote.
Our volunteer firefighters are some of the most incredible WVians we have, because they run toward danger to protect us – out of the goodness of their hearts. We lost one of these brave men tonight at the Clover VFD in Roane County.
— Governor Jim Justice (@WVGovernor) January 11, 2020
The Roane County Sheriff’s Department and state police are investigating.
Two Pratt VFD members were killed in a fire truck crash on their way to a wrong way accident on the West Virginia Turnpike in March 2018.