A Mississippi firefighter died while fighting a wildfire in Amite County in southern Mississippi (map) on Saturday, February 1. According to the Enterprise-Journal, Dwight Hilton, 57, of the East Fork community ” ‘had some type of medical issue. He went into cardiac arrest,’, said East Central Volunteer Fire Department Chief Cam Sharp, who also is the county coroner. An ambulance took Hilton to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:24 p.m. ‘He died in the line of duty,’ Sharp said.”
The incident occurred while firefighters were suppressing a vegetation fire that ultimately burned less than 10 acres.
Mr. Hilton was a long time member of the East Central Rural Volunteer Fire Department, which was assisting the Liberty Rural VFD.
Arson is suspected, according to Murry Toney, the Amite County arson investigator. The fire started in three different places, Mr. Toney said.
Jones Family Funeral Service of McComb will be handling the final arrangements.
Our sincere condolences go out to the family and fellow firefighters.
