Firefighter Gregory Simmons of Eastland lost his life while fighting the fire near Carbon on Friday. He was apparently struck by a passing vehicle in near zero-visibility conditions. He and other firemen were forced to abandon a fire truck and run toward a highway to escape the fire. The other firemen were not injured. The Highway Patrol is now investigating the accident and attempting to locate any vehicle involved.
Gregory Simmons was a volunteer firefighter, who with his fellow firefighters, was fighting a dangerous blaze that had forced the evacuation of the town of Carbon. Firefighters always face hazards while doing their job. It is a shame that these hazards were compounded by a driver who felt the need to continue his/her trip even though conditions were less than favorable for safe travel. I only hope that state troopers will locate the driver and file charges if such are warranted. In the meantime, my prayers go out to Mr. Simmons' family, and I give him my deepest respect and gratitude for his desire to serve his fellow man, even when such service could, and ultimately did, cost Fireman Simmons his life.
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