A Montgomery fire chief died after he collapsed while putting out a house fire on Southampton Road Tuesday night. State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey identified the firefighter as 59-year-old Montgomery Fire Chief Stephen Frye.
Department of Fire Services Public Information Officer Jennifer Mieth told 22News Frye was operating a hose in the back of the home at 1524 Southampton Road when he collapsed. Frye was taken to Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield, where he died.
“The small, close-knit fire department is devastated by the loss of the member, as is the entire community of Montgomery and the area first responders, ” Meith said in a release sent to 22News.