Matthew John Porcari

Upon his arrival on-scene, Captain Porcari and another firefighter were ordered to enter the structure to assist with firefighting operations. A MAYDAY was transmitted at approximately 2329 hours for two firefighters that had fallen through the floor into the basement. Captain Porcari fell from the first floor into the basement; his partner fell partially through the floor but was able to pull himself out of the hole.

Firefighters were able to place their hands on Captain Porcari from above but could not bring him back up through the hole due to fire and smoke conditions. Firefighters entered the basement, located Captain Porcari, and brought him to the exterior. The time from the floor failure to Captain Porcari’s removal from the basement was approximately 20 minutes.

Captain Porcari was removed from the building by firefighters at approximately 2349hrs and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. He arrived at the hospital at 0032hrs and was pronounced dead at 0037hrs on January 22, 2013.

The cause of death was listed as acute ventricular arrhythmia due to acute thermal inhalation injury. Captain Porcari received second and third degree burns over approximately 75% of his body. At autopsy, the carboxyhemoglobin level in Captain Porcari’s blood was 14 percent.