Two Ohio Firefighters Killed Battling House Fire

A veteran Colerain Township, Ohio fire captain and a firefighter were killed Friday morning as they searched a burning house. Initial reports indicate the pair may have fallen through the floor after entering the structure as the first-in crew, Capt. Steve Conn said in a press conference.

The victims have been identified as Captain Robin Broxterman, 37 and Firefighter Brian Schira, 29. Broxterman was the department's first female captain and the mother of two. Local news outlets reported that she was engaged to a firefighter from another area department. (Post Condolences)

Schira was hired by the Colerian department in November, and was formerly with Delhi Township. His friends have begun posting condolences on his MySpace Profile, which indidates he is single. His interests included softball, weight lifting, going to concerns and riding his motorcycle. He also worked at Home Depot.

The first call came in just after 6 a.m. as a carbon monoxide/smoke detector alarm and while enroute crews were advised that it was now reported as a full structure fire with fire reported in the basement.

On arrival, firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions. They entered the home to search for additional victims and find the seat of the fire, Conn said. At some point, there was a "catastrophic structure failure" and the firefighters apparently fell through the floor to the basement. There was no radio contact from the crew.

A second alarm was sounded as the Mayday was called by command and rapid intervention crews went to work, locating the bodies about 30 minutes later, just after 7 a.m.

According to its Web site, The Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS serves the largest township in Ohio. Colerain Township measures 43.5 square miles, abutting the northwest corner of Cincinnati, and serves over 60,000 residents. The Colerain Township Department of Fire and EMS, formed in 1975 through the combination of two volunteer departments then serving the area, remains on of the largest and busiest suburban departments in the state.

The last line of duty death for the department was in 1977.

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Permalink Reply by 41rescue3 on April 7, 2008 at 11:08am
my condolences go out to the family and friends

stay safe
Permalink Reply by Jim Brunelle Jr. on April 10, 2008 at 4:04pm
They are now saying it was due to the dope growing operation in the basement I'm usually pertty unbiased but that was a senseless reason for this to happen. I hope they get punished to the full extent.
Permalink Reply by Dan Thomas on April 20, 2008 at 6:53am
...God Bless them Both.

The "dope" growing operations didn't cause the fire. The owner was growing orchids in the main part of the basement and there was some kind of fan that was there that shorted out which caused the fire. The fact that they found dope in the basement was a by product of the investigation they were doing due to the LODD. The owner of the house was subsequently charged with possession charges but the Ohio Fire Marshalls office deemed that the marijuana had no baring on the loss of life.
Permalink Reply by Jacob on April 20, 2008 at 2:28pm
Dear God. My prayers are out to the families of our brother and sister.I'm sorry

BE Safe
Jacob
Permalink Reply by Jason Edwards on April 27, 2008 at 1:57pm
Here are some great photos of the procession... Thanks to Youngstown Fire for posting.
http://www.youngstownfire.com/forums/index.php/topic,7796.0.html
Permalink Reply by TabergFireFighter4 on May 2, 2008 at 4:32pm
When I see any Firefighter die it makes me so sad, then I ask myself was it a accident or lack of training... Some of the time it is training and firemen not thinking things through on the fire ground they all want to help that person(s) but they don't remember that it is our saftey before the victims. I pound saftey almost every time at our firehouse when I see someone doing something unsafe I'll pull them aside and talk to them not yell or anything like that!
Permalink Reply by FireCat on May 2, 2008 at 9:45pm
I extend my condolences to the families and the department of the fallen firefighters, may they rest in peace. You are all in my prayers! May god be with all of you!
Permalink Reply by Band of Brothers pipes and drums on May 2, 2008 at 11:49pm
After performing at the service I have returned to my regular routine.

I cant tell you how difficult it was to read the myspace comments left for Brian Schira. It really kinda tears at you. But it is nice to know he has friends like that and that he is still missed.

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