Miami firefighters mourn loss of one of their own

MIAMI – City of Miami firefighters are mourning the loss of one of their own.

Miami Department of Fire-Rescue officials confirmed a firefighter died Wednesday morning at Fire Station 14, located at 2151 SW 19th Court.

The cause of death is unclear, but Miami police said no foul play is suspected.

According to Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll, two of three firefighters went to their assigned firetruck around 4:30 a.m. to respond to an alarm call and realized that their colleague was missing.

The two went to check on him inside the fire station and found him unconscious, Carroll said. 

Carroll said the firefighters tried to revive him, but were unsuccessful. 

"We see tragedy everyday as first responders, and just remember that we're also human, as well," Carroll said. "We deal with these situations on a personal level, and even though this is at a work environment, you tend to become one, become a family with the people that you work with."

A procession of fire rescue and police vehicles followed as the firefighter's body was taken to the medical examiner's office. 

The fire station will be closed for a couple of hours as police complete their investigation.

Officials are withholding the name of the firefighter until they can notify relatives.