Brice Trossbach death: A Brave Maryland Firefighter dies after trapped in Leonardtown house fire

Firefighter Brice Trossbach passed away in line of duty
Brice Trossbach died in line of duty

 

Naval Air Station Patuxent River Firefighter Brice Trossbach passed away suddenly in the line of duty. Let’s see how did Brice Trossbach die and his cause of death in detail.

How did Brice Trossbach die?

Brice C. Trossbach has been named as the fireman who perished in the line of duty on Tuesday after becoming trapped inside a two-story home fire in St. Mary’s County, the Naval Air Station Patuxent River 1 announced on Wednesday. 

Unfortunately, Brice perished on June 27 while responding to a request for help regarding a fire in Leonardtown, Maryland. 

“I’ve known Brice since he was a little kid following his dad to the Leonardtown Fire Station when I was the Chief there, and he always wanted to be a firefighter,” said Gerald Gardiner, Deputy Director of Emergency Services for St. Mary’s County. 

“To see him come up from that kid, to the man and firefighter he’d become, makes this loss especially hard. His respect for those he helped, the mentorship he provided the younger guys coming up, and the service he gave to the nation and Southern Maryland community will leave a big hole in our hearts.”, he added.

According to officials, this is the first line of duty death for a fireman in St. Mary’s County. 

Who was Brice Trossbach?

Trossbach worked as a Naval District Fire Fighter at NAS Patuxent River, where he started in August of 2019.

His dedication to the community illustrated by his further service as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, which he has been a part of since 2013. 

Trossbach gave his life as a devoted public servant in order to defend and assist his neighborhood. The sudden death of Trossbach shocked the neighborhood around NAS Patuxent River.

What happened to Brice Trossbach?

St. Mary’s County fire officials said they responded to a house fire in the 20000 block of Deer Wood Park Drive in Leonardtown on Tuesday at about 5:30 a.m., with three people inside.

Trossbach was on the first floor when he fell into the basement. He was taken to the hospital, where he died, according to officials.

Multiple firefighters attempted to rescue the trapped firefighter inside the house. Maryland State Police (MSP) initially stated, “Several have become trapped in a basement during what appears to be a structure collapse.”

According to Oliver Alkire, public information officer for the Maryland State Fire Marshal, the deceased firefighter was among the first to enter the flaming home.

A volunteer fireman from the Leonardtown Volunteer incident Department Company 1 was also being treated at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for non-life threatening injuries sustained in the incident, according to officials.

According to Alkire, the house is a total loss. As of Tuesday afternoon, a quarter of the marshal’s office was on the scene investigating the situation.

Alkire further stated that the family in the house heard a huge “boom” before the fire. Preliminary investigations indicate that the occurrence may have been caused by weather, such as a lightning strike.

Investigators are interviewing many homeowners and intend to obtain a lightning strike report before making a final conclusion.

The origin and causation are currently being investigated. During their regularly planned business meeting on Tuesday, the St. Mary’s County Commissioners quickly expressed their condolences to Trossbach’s family, friends, and coworkers.

‘Ultimate sacrifice’:

After the sudden demise of Brice, Commissioner President James Randy Guy stated, “This is a dark day in St. Mary’s County, and we are mourning”. It has been said that in an emergency, firefighters rush in when all others rush out.

We are deeply grateful for the bravery and selfless service of this firefighter and in this time of need, we ask for God’s mercy. We also want to extend thanks to the numerous fire companies from in and around the county for their response to the call for aid.”

“Tragically, this morning we were informed that we lost a shipmate and firefighter that’s assigned to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station,” said Derrick Kingsley, Commanding Officer with the U.S. Navy, stated at a press conference Tuesday.

“Trossbach made the ultimate sacrifice while responding to a mutual aid call of a structure fire in Leonardtown, Maryland, dedicating his life to protect and serve our community,” the Naval Air Station Patuxent River 1 said.

In this terrible time, they extended their condolences to his family, friends, and coworkers with great sadness and heavy hearts. Trossbach’s heroic gesture illustrates the selflessness and bravery that firefighters demonstrate every day. 

Tributes to Brice C. Trossbach:

NAS Patuxent River posted,

It is with profound sadness that NAS Patuxent River announces the tragic loss of one of our brave firefighters, Brice C. Trossbach, 25, who died in the line of duty while responding to an emergency on June 27.

Fort Leavenworth Fire & Emergency Services posted,

Fort Leavenworth Firefighters extend their deeepest condolences for NAS Pax River for the loss of one of their firefighters yesterday at a structure fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

3 House Photography posted,

With great sorrow, we share the Line of Duty death of Naval Air Station Patuxent River Firefighter Brice Trossbach, who paid the ultimate sacrifice at a working mutual aid fire yesterday. As a DoD firefighter myself, this one hits close to home. Please join us as we keep the family, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters in the Fire Service in our thoughts as we mourn the loss of Firefighter Trossbach.

Robert McCartney posted,

Prayers go out to the family and friends of Firefighter Brice Trossbach, who lost his life this morning in an early morning house fire in Leonardtown.
He was assigned to the PAX River NDW fire station and also a member of Leonardtown VFD.

Corey Allen Porter posted,

Nothing ever prepares you to lose one of your own, we shall see you again my friend we love you.

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