A Montgomery firefighter who collapsed at the scene of a house fire late Tuesday night was pronounced dead at a hospital, the state Fire Marshal's office has reported.
"It's a sad day for Western Massachusetts," said Jennifer Mieth, spokeswoman for the state Fire Marshal's office.
The blaze at 1524 Southampton Road was reported shortly after 11 p.m., according to a release.
The firefighter collapsed while he and other members of the Montgomery Fire Department were operating an initial line attack outside in the rear of the building.
Firefighters rendered immediate aid to the fallen firefighter. Hilltown Ambulance, already on scene, took him to Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield where he was pronounced dead.