Hickory Fire Department says 20-year-old firefighter died on duty after returning from fire

A Hickory firefighter who died while on duty Thursday was 20-year-old Jake Bridges.

“It is with a heavy heart that I deliver the news that no fire chief ever wants to deliver. Yesterday we lost one of our own, Hickory firefighter Jake Bridges, while on duty,” Hickory Fire Chief Matt Hutchinson said in a news release from the fire department. “We are working with our state partner agencies to gain a better understanding of this tragedy.”

The release said Hickory firefighters responded to a structure fire on 15th Avenue NE at 1:49 a.m. Thursday. Firefighters cleared the scene at 4:52 a.m.

After returning to the fire station, Bridges suffered a medical emergency and was taken to a local hospital. Bridges died at the hospital, the Hickory Fire Department said in the press release.

Bridges