Fallen Philly Firefighter is First Female to be Killed in the Line of Duty

By Alison Smith:

A Philadelphia firefighter was killed battling a blaze overnight in the city’s West Oak Lawn section.

The 11-year veteran of the Philadelphia Fire Department is the city’s first female firefighter to die in the line of duty, The Philadelphia Inquirer said.

The fire broke out around 2:50 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the basement of a home on the 1600 block of Middleton Street, 6ABC said.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said, according to the Inquirer.. “This firefighter was doing her job to the best of her abilities but unfortunately died fighting this fire.”

All the residents of the home got out safely, 6ABC said.

The fire remains under investigation. The firefighter’s name has not been released, pending notification of her family.