Firefighter Dies in Line of Duty

"This city will still go protected tonight, but we'll do it with a heavy heart."

-Deputy Chief Cecil Clay

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma City firefighter suffered a heart attack and died while on the scene of an apartment fire on the city's south side Wednesday.

According to EMSA officials Corporal Christopher Allen Dill was transported to a nearby hospital with life threatening injuries where he later died.

"He was a dedicated, committed, brave employee," Chief Keith Bryant said.

"It's something that's very important to a fire chief that all of his firefighters go home at the end of their shift," Chief Bryant said.

Firefighters had nearly finished their work at the three-alarm fire when they said Dill collapsed, before passing away at Southwest Medical Center.

"This city will still go protected tonight, but we'll do it with a heavy heart," Deputy Chief Cecil Clay said.

Dill joined the Oklahoma City Fire Department on June 18, 1993 and was promoted to Corporal on June 18, 1996. He served the citizens from Fire Station 25 on the Green Shift. Dill is the first to die in the line of duty in nearly 20 years.

"He let his work do his talking for him," Chief Bryant said. "For what it's worth, that's the kind of firefighter I admire the most."

Following Corporal Dill's passing, Mayor Mick Cornett ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff, where they will remain until Corporal Dill's internment.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to both Corporal Dill's family and the firefighters who lost one of their brothers," said Mayor Cornett. "Corporal Dill was a brave man who lost his life while protecting the people of Oklahoma City."
 
The fire at the Penn Grand Apartments destroyed two apartment and damaged several others. Fire officials say it started in a kitchen of a downstairs unit.

The woman who lived in that apartment escaped safely, as did a man who lived in the apartment above hers.

The Red Cross is providing assistance to four families affected by the fire.

Dill is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Condolences can be sent to the Oklahoma City Fire Department, 820 NW 5th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 or IFF Local 157, 157 NW 6th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.