Marvin Maurice Bartholemew

Firefighter Bartholemew responded as a member of an engine company to a report of a residential fire. Upon arrival on the scene, the first company officer reported a working fire with approximately 50 percent of the building involved. Firefighter Bartholemew was assigned to join the crew of a rescue and perform a search of the structure. A handline was stretched by the search crew and carried into the structure. Five to ten minutes after arrival, the company officer from the rescue realized that fire was spreading behind them. He ordered his crew to abandon their efforts and leave the house. All three firefighters headed for the exit as the flashover occurred. The company officer and the firefighter from the rescue emerged from the structure, both were burned. Firefighter Bartholemew was not with them. The company officer reported Firefighter Bartholemew missing. At least four searches were completed before Firefighter Bartholemew was located. His body was located approximately an hour after the flashover. He had apparently become disoriented and ended up in the kitchen at the back of the house. The cause of death was listed as asphyxia due to smoke inhalation. The carboxyhemoglobin level in Firefighter Bartholemew’s blood was 69.5 percent. The fire was caused when a pan caught fire on top of the kitchen stove and extended. The occupants of the house had evacuated prior to the arrival of the fire department.