A 23-year veteran fireman was killed while assisting students and their families after a University of Missouri student apartment building walkway collapsed early Saturday morning.
Columbia Fire Department Lt. Bruce Britt was trapped when a section of an outdoor walkway fell on him. He was transported to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“My heart is heavy this morning as my deepest condolences go to the family of the brave City of Columbia firefighter who was fatally injured in the line of duty helping keep the residents of University Village Apartments safe,” R. Bowen Loftin, Chancellor of the University of Missouri said in a statement. “We are grateful that, due to the efforts of this firefighter and others, no residents were injured. My deepest gratitude goes out to everyone who assisted during this emergency,” he added.
The university’s Switzler Hall bell will ring at 10 a.m. Thursday to honor Lt. Britt.
An investigation is currently pending to determine why the walkway collapsed. The University of Missouri is responsible for its own building inspections.
