Macon-Bibb County, GA Lt. Randy Parker killed in collapse at house fire
WMAZ-TV & WGXA-TV report that Lt. Randy Parker of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department in Georgia was killed after a structural collapse at a house fire this (Wednesday) evening in South Macon. Five other firefighters have been injured. The fire occurred at 2320 Fairview Drive in South Macon around 6:00 p.m.
Three firefighters will be taken to the Augusta Burn Center.
One is Steven Stafford, age 59, who’s in critical condition and being airlifted.
Two others will be taken later by ground vehicles. They are Farrell Cromer, age 46, and Adam Mitchie, age 34.
A county news release says two of the firefighters are being sent to Augusta for smoke inhalation and a third for smoke inhalation and burns on his hand.
Two more Macon Bibb firefighters remain at the Medical Center-Navicent Health.
They are Matt Couey, age 27, and Ben Bollinger, who is 28. They are both in stable condition. The county says they will remain in the hospital “for monitoring.”
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WGXA News has learned Lieutenant Randy Parker was killed in the line of duty while battling a fire at 2320 Fairview Drive off of Rocky Creek Road.
Nearly an hour after battling the fire, crews that were inside the house fell into the basement when the floor collapsed. A Code Red was immediately issued which initiated evacuation and rescue efforts.
Six fire fighters were taken to the Medical Center Navicent Health. Parker was trapped for a significant amount of time and was later pronounced dead. Parker was an officer that served the the Macon-Bibb community for more than 20 years.
Neighbor Sandra Carter was alerted by a loud noise.
“I heard what sounded like something exploded,” she said. “I ran screaming for my neighbors, but they didn’t hear me.”
“It just seemed like an eternal time that he had been trapped in there,” Carter said.
