Sgt. Thomas Petschke Jr., 53, a firefighter with Ballardsville Fire & Rescue died Saturday responding to a fire in Goshen.
Firefighters responded to a fire in an abandoned structure on North Buckeye Lane at about 6:30 p.m. When they arrived they found the fire had spread to a an overgrown area and nearby woods.
Petschke, a 10-year veteran of the department, suffered a medical emergency at the scene and was taken to Norton Hospital, but he didn’t survive.
Firefighters held a procession to the funeral home for Petschke on Sunday. He is survived by a wife and two children.
“Sgt. Petschke was an exceptional firefighter and a cherished member of our department. His dedication, courage, and unwavering commitment to public safety were an inspiration to all who had the privilege of working alongside him,” the department said on Facebook.
