A 40-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department was founded dead at the scene of an early morning blaze on Wednesday.
According to the AP, Lt. James Bethea was found in a vacant building that was next to a structure that caught fire in the 700 block of E. North Ave. As part of his duties, Bethea inspected the building that caught fire to make sure it was safe. He then went to inspect the adjacent building, where he died. Fire Chief Niles Ford told the AP that Bethea was alone on the scene.
Upon hearing the news that one of their own was killed in the line of duty, firefighters from around the state and country offered their condolences to the Baltimore City Fire Department:
Our thoughts & prayers go out to our brothers & sisters @BCFDL734 @Local964Prez on the #LODD of Lt. James Bethea. RIP pic.twitter.com/lBkaHryt57
— IAFF LOCAL1311 (@iafflocal1311) November 12, 2014
RIP LT JAMES BETHEA @BaltimoreFire pic.twitter.com/fBPSfSeKyo
— Billy Goldfeder (@BillyGoldfeder) November 12, 2014
Baltimore Firefighters L734 send their prayers to Local 964 @Local964Prez on the loss of their member Lt. James Bethea #IAFF
— Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 (@BCFDL734) November 12, 2014
#BCoFD, #BCoPD offer deepest sympathy to @BaltimoreFire for the loss of Lt. James Bethea in the line of duty.^EA
— Baltimore County Police Department (@BaltCoPolice) November 12, 2014
PGFD’s thoughts & prayers go out to @BaltimoreFire & @ChiefNilesRFord on the apparent LODD – Safety Officer Lt James Bethea. RIP
— Marc Bashoor (@PGFD_Chief) November 12, 2014
This man is/was my neighbor. A beautiful man. Beautiful spirit. He was a lovely example of grace, professionalism and humanism. He came to my cub scout group to give a safety lecture & was understanding and patient. He was a good, good man.
Love U Uncle FOREVER!!!!