Fire chiefs within the local mutual aid area are reaching out to the Loyalist Fire department that lost a firefighter in an apartment building fire on the weekend.
Loyalist Firefighter and a decorated Canadian Forces veteran, Patrick Pidgeon, was injured and died after fighting a fire that engulfed an empty third floor apartment in an apartment building in Amherstview Saturday.
Belleville fire chief Mark MacDonald is fire coordinator for Mutual Aid in the area.
He says firefighters get a great deal of training.
He says a contingent from the local fire halls will attend the funeral for firefighter Pidgeon, and are ready to supply coverage for the Loyalist department if needed during that time.
#1 CHIEF MACD
MacDonald says it’s a dangerous job and a notice on Belleville fire halls reminds firefighters
Pidgeon was injured in the intense fire and was rushed to hospital where he died.
As a member of the armed forces, he had served in many conflicts overseas, including two tours in Afghanistan.
In an official statement Chief MacDonald says “Belleville Fire and Emergency Services and Fire Departments serving Hastings and Prince Edward Counties are very saddened by the loss of our Brother Firefighter Patrick Pidgeon.
“Our condolences go out to the Pidgeon family and the Loyalist Township Firefighters.”
Quinte News has just received the details about the visitation and funeral service.
It will be a “Full Fire Department Honours Funeral.”
The wake on Friday, July 22: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the James Reid Funeral Home in Kingston.
The funeral on Saturday, July 23: 11 a.m. at the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre in Amherstview.
Chief MacDonald says he expects a contingent of firefighters from Belleville and area will be attending.