July 14, 2005

Eastern Wake firefighter Todd Blanchard, 31, died early this morning from injuries suffered at a fire at Turnipseed Road and Major Slade Road in the unincorporated Knightdale area.

According to fire officials, a massive tree at that intersection was struck by lightning at approximately 5:00 PM yesterday afternoon.  Firefighters responded, applied water, and, when the fire appeared to be out, left the scene.

Blanchard was one member of a three-firefighter crew that returned to the scene at 12:42 AM today in response to a report that the tree was still smoldering.  The crew applied water to the smoldering area, and then approached the tree to examine that smoldering area more closely.  As the crew walked toward the tree, a limb estimated to be 2.5 feet in diameter broke and fell.  Blanchard was struck by the limb.  The two firefighters who responded with Blanchard managed to remove the limb, and began CPR when they determined that Blanchard’s breathing and heart had stopped.  Eastern Wake EMS paramedics arrived at the scene, initiated advanced life support treatment and took Blanchard to WakeMed.  Paramedic and hospital efforts to revive Blanchard were unsuccessful.

A line-of-duty firefighter death is investigated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the North Carolina Department of Labor’s occupational health and safety staff and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.  Eastern Wake fire officials initiated this process before 6:00 AM this morning.

Blanchard had worked as a full-time firefighter for Eastern Wake Fire Department for approximately two years.  He came to Eastern Wake Fire Department from the Garner Fire Department.

Surviving Blanchard are his parents, two daughters and a fiancé.  Blanchard and his fiancé were planning an October wedding.

Eastern Wake fire officials have asked that media inquiries be directed to Sharon Brown, Wake County Public Information Officer, 856-7330.