An 11-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department died in the line of duty after the interior of a home collapsed this morning, pinning him under debris, officials said.
Lt. Matt LeTourneau was trapped for 30 minutes until firefighters were able to remove him, Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said at a news conference. LeTourneau, 42, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“Our hearts are breaking,” Thiel said in a statement. “And we are without words.”
A resident at the north Philadelphia row home was also found dead inside the building, officials said, and two other firefighters were injured.
Close up look now at scene of fire @6abc pic.twitter.com/jz8BlKWCMK
— Bob Brooks (@BobBrooks6abc) January 6, 2018
The fire was deemed under control after about 2 hours, officials said.
The cause of the blaze is under investigation, the fire department said.
Condolences swiftly poured in for the fallen firefighter, who had been promoted to lieutenant in 2015.
We send our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters at the @PhillyFireDept on the passing of Lt. Matt LeTourneau. The bravery displayed by these men and women every day serves as an inspiration to us all. Please keep Lt. LeTorneau's family in your thoughts and prayers. pic.twitter.com/TMDu6KXmam
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) January 6, 2018
Was praying the reports were not true. My deepest condolences to Lt. LeTourneau's loved ones & to the @PhillyFireDept family. Grateful to our first responders for their selfless service to the public, every day https://t.co/x72reeVm9W
— Darrell Clarke (@Darrell_Clarke) January 6, 2018
Tragic news out of North Philly and a stark reminder of the risks our first responders face every day to keep us safe. My deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow firefighters. https://t.co/KlbEoTPKlF
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) January 6, 2018
We would like to send our condolences to the family of Lt. Matthew Letourneau , @PhillyFireDept , and @springfieldfd44 . Lt. Letourneau was tragically killed today while battling a 2 alarm fire in North Philadelphia after a structural collapse. pic.twitter.com/O1A58y5K19
— Drexel Hill Fire Co. (@DrexelHillFC20) January 6, 2018
Our thoughts are with our brothers and sisters of @PhillyFireDept as they face the loss of one of their own in a building fire this afternoon.
— STL Firefighters (@IAFF73) January 6, 2018
My deepest sympathies go out to the loved ones of fallen Philadelphia Fire Department Lt. Matt LeTourneau and the civilian victim of the tragic fire this morning on North Colorado Street. Our firefighters are true heroes. @PhillyFireDept @IAFF22 @IAFFNewsDesk pic.twitter.com/53taQpEY8p
— Senator Tartaglione (@SenTartaglione) January 6, 2018
The members of the Linfield Fire Company send our condolences to the Philadelphia Fire Department with the loss of member Lt. Matthew LeTourneau from Engine 45 this morning. We stand with you in this time of tragedy. pic.twitter.com/MvCjqTfJXF
— Linfield Fire Co. (@LinfieldFireCo) January 6, 2018
May God bless the family of Lt. Matt LeTourneau and all our Fire Fighters @PhillyFireDept @ThielAdam https://t.co/VdLxCIneYj
— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) January 6, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers for Philadelphia Fire Lt. LeTourneau & 1 occupant of the bldg killed in a fire today in Philadelphia. Thoughts/prayers for families and brother & sister firefighters. https://t.co/lK35s3spcM
— Cambridge Fire Dept. (@CambridgeMAFire) January 6, 2018
Our thoughts and prayers are with @PhillyFireDept and the family of Lt. LeTourneau. Godspeed our brother. We have the watch. https://t.co/xSAsoMab95
— Dunlap Fire Department (@DunlapFire) January 6, 2018