021513 BRYAN FD LODD

Описание: A firefighter has died because of injuries sustained while fighting a fire near downtown Bryan.

Investigators say they were called to the 1500 block of Groesbeck Dr. 11:17 p.m. Friday night for a fire at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

The Bryan Fire Department is not commenting at this time, but police say multiple firefighters have been injured in the fire and were taken by helicopter to various hospitals including a burn unit in Galveston.

Two crews entered the building and shortly after the roof collapsed on one of those crews.

The Bryan Fire Department has a number of engines on the scene, and the College Station Fire Department is aiding their efforts. There are also volunteer fire crews helping from Brazos County.

Moments ago firefighters lowered the flag in front of the Knights of Columbus Hall to half-mast.

The flags at Bryan Fire Department are also at half-mast.

UPDATE
A spokeswoman from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston has confirmed that a second Bryan firefighter died from his injuries.

UTMB says 54-year-old Lt. Greg Pickard died this afternoon. He was a 32-year veteran with the Bryan Fire Department.

Two others are still in the hospital after receiving severe injuries after a fire near Downtown Bryan.

Lt. Eric Wallace was among those trapped inside the building when a portion of the roof reportedly collapsed. He was killed as a result.

A relief account has been set up for donations the fallen and injured firefighters' families. It's at Wells Fargo under the Benefit Donation account for the Bryan Fire Department.
Wells Fargo Bank, Main Branch
3000 Briarcrest
Bryan, Tx 77802
Attn: Bryan Firefighter Fund

"During the fire effort the Lieutenant and the firefighter off of that first arriving engine company made entry into the building and radioed they were low on air and needed assistance," explained Bryan Fire Chief Randy McGregor. "At that point, the order was given to evacuate the building and the firefighter on the initial engine company was able to escape the building. The Lieutenant was removed by another team of firefighters where he later succumbed to his injuries."

Two firefighters have also been injured in the fire. Firefighter Ricky Mantey Jr., 30, and Probationary Firefighter Mitch Moran, 21, are last listed in stable condition. They were taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan, then by helicopter to UTMB in Galveston for treatment of burns. Both of them and Pickard were part of the third truck in the RIT Team. The team stands by in case a firefighter becomes trapped. It is then their responsibility to rescue the firefighter.

Pickard had been a Battalion Chief with the Bryan Fire Department but at his request was given a Lieutenant. His reasoning was that he was hired to fight fire and not stand on the sidelines.

A recent benefit was held for Eric Wallace after his fifth child was born premature and incurred extensive medical costs.

Firefighter Ricky D. Mantey Jr., 30, and Probationary Firefighter Mitchel S. Moran, 21, are receiving treatment, but UTMB officials tell us both are in critical condition in the Blocker Burn Unit. A surgeon said the men had major burns and require skin grafts.

"We are able to remove skin that's been burned temporarily and use skin from our skin bank, that have been donated by good people of Houston and the area to be used in such emergencies, as a temporary cover to prevent infection, to decrease pain," UTMB Galveston Dr. David N. Herndon said.

Before Friday, only one Bryan firefighter had died in the line of duty in the department's 150-year history. The city just held a ceremony last week to honor that fallen firefighter, who died 35 years ago.

A visitation has been scheduled from 6-8 pm Wednesday in the chapel of the Adams Funeral Home, 129 Coleman St. in Marlin, TX. The funeral will be held the following day at 10 am at the First Baptist Church, 3100 Cambridge in Bryan, TX.

Funeral services for Pickard are still pending.

Officials said an initial $20,000 check will be presented to Brandi Wallace to help with the family's immediate needs. The organization will then assess the family's needs to determine additional support. On average, the 100 Club's financial support is about $300,000 per tragedy, officials said. For information on donating to the 100 Club Survivors Fund, visit

"You just never expect something like this to happen and especially to know that fireman were injured,

Early Saturday morning after fellow firefighters learned of Wallace’s death several gathered around the base of the flag pole in front of the Knights of Columbus Hall and lowered the American flag to half-mast.