Our local volunteer fire department in Lutherville lost one of their brothers tonight. A 4-alarm fire broke out in the Towson Crossing Apartments in Parkville, just south of Taylor Avenue on Loch Raven Boulevard. Firefighters searched through the burning building and performed several emergency rescues. When the command was given for all firefighters to evacuate the building, one firefighter was trapped on the third floor.

Despite the heroic efforts of the other firefighters to rescue him, he died shortly thereafter.

Amy and I heard the tragedy unfold on the scanner just after the first firefighters arrived on the scene. The courage, the selflessness, and the camaraderie of these firefighters that we heard tonight is something I will never forget.

I will have more to say about this in the coming days and weeks, as most of you know that firefighting runs deep in my family.

For now, though, all I can do is offer my prayers to this firefighter’s family, the brave firefighters at Lutherville who have lost a brother tonight, and all of the men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line for us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and every day of the year.