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October 26, 2006
Fourth firefighter dies at hospital
A fourth firefighter has died from burns suffered while trying to protect homes this morning during a 4,000-acre blaze near Twin Pines in the San Jacinto Mountains of Riverside County, officials say.
The area is about 85 miles east of Los Angeles.
The most recent victim died late this morning at the burn unit of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. San Bernardino County coroner's officials learned of the death indirectly from coroner's officials in Riverside County.
"We were contacted by the Riverside (County) sheriff-coroner, saying that when this death is reported to us ... they're wishing to take jurisdiction," said San Bernardino County Lead Supervising Coroner's Investigator Robert Shaw.
Riverside County officials said they could not confirm the report.
The tragedy occurred about 8 a.m. today when the entire five-person crew of a U.S. Forest Service engine was engulfed by flames while firefighters were trying to protect homes. Three died at the scene. Two were airlifted by a Forest Service helicopter to the burn unit at the hospital in Colton.
Posted by PE.com at October 26, 2006 01:26 PM