Volunteer firefighter dies after fighting blaze near Cultus Lake

An on-duty volunteer firefighter from the Fraser Valley has passed away.  Fifty-seven year-old Brian Smyth, who had been a member of the Columbia Valley Volunteer Department for seven years, suffered a heart attack on Wednesday while helping his team tackle a housefire in the Cultus Lake area.

Smyth was rushed to the hospital and taken off life support on Friday.

Jennifer Kinneman with the Fraser Valley Regional District says his family and colleagues are hurting right now.  ”Brian was a really well-respected and well-known fixture at the firehall. His colleagues are really grieving the loss of their friend and neighbour. It’s a really small, tight-knit community and certainly this comes as a great loss to them.”

“Brian was the kind of man that lived and breathed the fire department and really, really felt strongly about his commitment to the community and community service and giving back,” adds Kinneman.

Smyth leaves behind a sister, nephew, grand niece.  ”Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Smyth’s family, the Columbia Valley Volunteer Fire Department, and the community. We are deeply saddened,” says FVRD Board Chair Sharon Gaetz.

His organs are being donated.  A full Line of Duty funeral will be held in his honour in a couple of weeks.