By Matt Heilman
Published: Aug. 1, 2024 at 3:42 PM CDT
SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan. (KWCH) Aug. 2 update: The Wichita Fire Department identified 27-year-old Ty Voth as the firefighter who died battling Thursday’s fire.
Voth was a five-year veteran of the department.
“He was selfless, dedicated and always put others before himself,” the department wrote on Facebook. “Our fire department is family, and this loss is felt deeply by us all.”
According to Sedgwick County’s communications department, Thursday’s fire near Haysville was determined to have been accidental. The county said fire started near a kitchen stove and spread from there.
Voth died at a Wichita hospital. He served at Wichita Fire Station 5, continuing his career that began with the Manhattan Fire Department. Outside Station 5, there are flags at half-staff with the building lit in red.
Friends have been sending in photos and memories, saying he died doing what he loved, serving his community.
“Lucky for us, we had him for five years and he gave his life for this community,” Ted Bush, president of the Wichita firefighters’ union.
He touched on Voth’s sacrifice in service to his community.
“People forget what this job means and what it can do to us,” Bush said. “We have people out there that will literally give their last breath for their community and Ty was one of them.”
Now, the community is coming together to remember Voth’s legacy.
“He lived as a hero, he died as a hero. and he’ll be remembered as a hero,” Wichita Fire Department Chief Tammy Snow said.
And a reminder that those working for fire departments around the world continue to put their lives on the line.
“I want people to understand that we had firefighters that were working last night that were working last night that came over to give their respects to their brother and they jumped right back on their rig and made those 911 calls,” Bush said.
Update: A Wichita firefighter died from injuries suffered at the scene of a house fire near Haysville.
In addressing the media Thursday evening, Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow said, “One of Wichita’s bravest was injured in the line of duty and he later succumbed to his injuries.”
Snow did not identify the firefighter as the department works to reach out to family members.
“This is a loss that weighs heavily on all of us and very deeply,” Snow said. “All of the dedicated individuals who serve our fire department do so knowing the immense risk they are undertaking. And they do it with noble, selfless regard. It doesn’t make it any easier.”
Ted Bush, president of the Wichita firefighters’ union also spoke, highlighting the challenging nature of the job and the impact of the firefighter’s death.
“We will never be the same after today, we won’t,” Bush said. “But the job remains the same. It’s never too hot, it’s never too cold, it’s never too late, it’s never too early. “Every time you call 911, they’re going.”
A Wichita firefighter was critically injured in response to a house fire Thursday afternoon near Haysville. Sedgwick County dispatch confirmed the firefighter was in extremely critical condition at the scene.
Sedgwick County Fire Marshal Brad Crisp confirmed that a little before 3 p.m., a passerby on the Kansas Turnpike saw the fire to a home in the 9800 block of South Laura and called 911. Fire crews from Sedgwick County, Derby, McConnell Air Force Base and Wichita responded. At the scene, Crisp said crews worked quickly to get the fire under control. He did not provide information on how the firefighter was injured nor have an update on the firefighter’s condition.
The City of Wichita advised that Wichita Fire Chief Tammy Snow is hosting a press conference at 6:30 p.m. The nature of the press conference wasn’t disclosed, but the notice followed the firefighter’s injury at the scene near Haysville.
Crisp said an investigation is underway to determine what caused the house fire near Haysville.
A firefighter was taken from the scene of a house fire near Haysville in extremely critical condition.
Sedgwick County dispatch confirmed the firefighter’s condition but did not specify if the firefighter suffered an injury or a medical emergency.
The call came out a little before 3 p.m. in the 9800 block of South Laura. This is southwest of East 95th Street South and South Hydraulic.
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