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Funeral plans announced for Howard County firefighter

Howard County Fire Department/Facebook

Celebration of Life services will be held this weekend for fallen Howard County firefighter Nathan Flynn.  A viewing will be held Friday from 12 to 8 p.m at Mountain Christian Church in Joppa.  A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m.  On their Facebook page, the Howard County Fire Department said there will be no funeral procession or interment. Flynn died after falling through the floor of a Clarksville home while battling a seven-alarm fire early Monday.  He is survived his wife and five children. 

Shortly before 2:00 AM on Monday, July 23, 2018 firefighters and paramedics from HCDFRS were dispatched for smoke in a house by a possible lightning strike on the 7000 block of Woodscape Drive. The 3 occupants of the home called 911 and were able to self-evacuate.

Upon arrival crews found a two-story single-family home with smoke showing. A first alarm with a task force was requested which was quickly upgraded to a 2nd alarm due to heavy fire conditions.

While operating in an interior offensive fire attack, firefighter Flynn fell through the floor at approximately 2:20 AM and a rapid intervention team was immediately deployed. Flynn was located, extricated, immediately given emergency medical care and transported to Howard County General Hospital at approximately 2:42 AM. At approximately 5:30 AM Flynn’s immediate family was notified of his death.

“Our job now, is to make sure that, for his family, our brother is laid to rest with dignity,” said International Association of Firefighters Local 2000 President Rich Ruehl. “It’s also our job to take care of his family, forever. They’re ours now, and they always will be.”

Firefighter Nathan Flynn, 34, of Harford County is a 13-year veteran of HCDFRS. He is survived by his wife and children. HCDFRS asks that you please respect the privacy of the Flynn family during this difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be released as soon as they become available.

The fire eventually elevated to 7 alarms bringing in support from Anne Arundel, Prince Georges, Montgomery, Baltimore, Frederick and Carroll Counties. The fire was placed out just before 12:00 PM.

Investigators from HCDFRS’ Office of the Fire Marshal will be leading the investigation with support from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The residents of the home have been displaced, and the house will be posted as unsafe.