COLUMBIA – Chief of Department Aubrey Jenkins confirmed last night at 9pm our worst fears. We had lost another brother to the “streets” while another was injured and listed in critical condition at as local hospital.
FF Chance Zobel of Engine Co. 4 was pronounced dead last night after sustaining injuries at a call when an out of control car plowed into him while fighting a grass fire on I-20 near Clemson Road. FF Larry Irvin was critically injured in the same incident. He is now listed as stable and is expected to survive.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol indicated that there were two crashes in this area and one of those involved the Columbia Fire Department. Engine 4’s crew was working a brush fire near the 81 mile-marker at around 2pm Saturday afternoon. The fire truck stopped on the inside lane. SCHP says at that time an Impala slowed down on it’s approach to the fire truck, when a van collided with it. Afterwhich one of the vehicles struck the Firefighters in the median.
As of press time it was unclear which vehicle struck the Firefighters.
Funeral and Memorial Service arrangements will be posted as soon as they become available to us.
Please stay tuned to SConFire.com and this “Breaking News” story updates.
Also on SConFire…
- Charleston Lends Support to Columbia – November 17, 2010
- Rough Week for America’s Bravest – June 6, 2011
- Donations Solicited For FFs’ Families – November 17, 2010
- Victim In Fiery Crash Identified – November 22, 2010
from the bottom of my heart i’m very sorry for the city of Columbia’s lost. the world lost another hero 11-14-10. Godspeed to him.