Firefighter Scott Deem died from injuries received while operating at a four-alarm fire in a shopping center. Fire crews were searching a gym in the strip mall for any possible occupants as fire conditions rapidly intensified and the structure began to collapse. All firefighters were ordered to exit the building but Deem was unable to do so before becoming caught and trapped. Crews continued to battle the fire but due to conditions were unable to reach Firefighter Deem. According to initial reports, another member of the initial search team was also trapped in the fire but was pulled to safety along with an injured member of the Rapid Intervention Team. The two injured firefighters were transported to the hospital where one remains in critical but stable condition.
Incident Location: 6782 Ingram Rd, San Antonio, TX 78238 (U.S. National Grid: 14R NT 3639 5935)
San Antonio Fire Department
315 South Santa Rosa Avenue
U.S. National Grid: 14R NT 4862 5496
San Antonio, Texas 78207
Chief: Charles N. Hood
Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.
| Age: | 31 |
|---|---|
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Classification: | Career |
| Incident date: | May 18, 2017 21:12 |
| Date of death: | May 18, 2017 |
| Cause of death: | Caught or Trapped |
| Nature of death: | Unknown |
| Activity type: | Search and Rescue |
| Emergency duty: | Yes |
| Duty type: | On-Scene Fire |
| Fixed property use: | Store/Office |
