Firefighter remembered: died after staircase collapse during Christopher fire in 2019

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CHRISTOPHER, Ill., (KBSI) – Firefighter Kody Vanfossan, 24, of the Christopher Fire Department died May 5, 2019, after being injured while battling a fire in Christopher.

Authorities said Vanfossan responded to a multi-alarm fire at a vacant two-story furniture store in the 100 block of West Market Street. Heavy smoke was visible from the upper level when crews arrived.

Vanfossan and another firefighter began an interior attack. As they moved down a set of rear stairs, the stairs collapsed, officials said. The second firefighter was able to exit the building, but a mayday was issued for Vanfossan.

He was later removed from the structure and taken to an ambulance, where he was pronounced dead.

Officials said his father, Lt. Brent Vanfossan, was also on scene during the fire.