Community, Colleagues Mourn Fallen Firefighter Joshua Laird

IJAMSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) — “Tell my household I emotion them.”

Those were Fire Capt. Joshua Laird’s past words earlier helium died of injuries suffered successful a devastating location occurrence successful Frederick County connected Wednesday. He served his assemblage for 21 years.

READ MORE: Frederick County Fire Department Announces Ways To Help Family Of Fallen Firefighter Joshua Laird

The burning 5,300-square ft location inactive carries the heartbreak from that fateful afternoon.

Fire Captain Chris Dimopoulos said the hazard firefighters look is simply a information of life.

“When you person small kids astatine home, you recognize you whitethorn precise good beryllium the 1 not going location to them the adjacent morning,” helium said, with tears streaming down his face.

Home is wherever Laird near down woman Sara and 2 children.

“You privation to spell backmost to your firetruck astatine the extremity of a call,” Dimopolous said. “It’s hard to wrapper your caput astir it.”

READ MORE: Gov. Hogan Lowers Flags To Half Staff To Honor Captain Joshua Laird, Firefighter Killed On Duty

Maryland is successful a authorities of mourning. U.S and authorities flags are astatine half-staff with Gov. Larry Hogan extending condolences connected behalf of the authorities to his household and chap firefighters. County Executive Jan Gardner called Josh a hero.

Ijamsville nonmigratory Corinne Gadson said she saw Laird conscionable the time before.

“I heard astir a fireman who was injured,” she said. “The adjacent greeting erstwhile I woke up, I saw his representation successful galore articles and I cried! I said that is the aforesaid antheral who was truthful bully to america successful the state station.”

The father, hubby and mentor leaves down a bequest but determination is 1 much acquisition arsenic we accidental goodbye to the antheral who gave truthful much. Dimopoulos said Laird volition proceed to beryllium an inspiration

“They accidental it each the clip however we’re a household and a brotherhood. Josh was unsocial and possibly I tin capable that void,” helium said. “He’s lectured maine enough. Maybe I tin beryllium that dependable of crushed and beryllium a spot much levelheaded.”

MORE NEWS: Frederick County Fire Captain Josh Laird Dies From Injuries Sustained While Battling Housefire

A GofundMe page for Josh has raised astir $70,000.

Max McGee