West Peculiar firefighter killed while battling house fire Sunday
A West Peculiar firefighter was killed Sunday after falling through a floor while battling a house fire, according to officials.
The fire was reported shortly after 11 a.m. in the laundry room of a house in the 23300 block of Deer Run Road in Peculiar, about 35 miles south of downtown Kansas City.
As crews made entry, the firefighter fell through the floor near the front door, Grandview Fire Chief Ron Graham said. The firefighter fell into the basement and was critically injured.
The firefighter was transported to a hospital, where he died, Graham said.
A family, including a grandmother and her grandchildren, were able to get out of the house before the fire department arrived.
In a Facebook post Sunday evening, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office identified the firefighter as Charles “Chuck” McCormick.
Officials said McCormick, 30, of Raymore had joined the fire department just over a month ago. Prior to that, he had worked with the South Metropolitan Fire Protection District. McCormick, a native of Georgia, was the father of three sons.
Fire departments across the region shared their condolences, saying they were deeply saddened by the “devastating loss.”
“Our hearts go out to the family of the firefighter lost and the entire West Peculiar fire department,” the Kansas City Fire Department wrote on Twitter.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said McCormick’s death was a “reminder of the brave and selfless work of Missouri’s fire service.”
This story was originally published January 5, 2020 at 3:49 PM.
