North Carolina blaze kills firefighter, injures 10

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A firefighter in western North Carolina has died after rushing into an office building fire that also injured 10 of his colleagues.

Thirty-seven-year-old Capt. Jeff Bowen died while fighting the fire at the five-story building in Ashevhille on Thursday.

Officials say firefighters were searching the building when they heard Bowen call “mayday” on his radio. He was taken to a hospital where he died. Bowen had been with the fire department for 13 years.

Nine of the injured firefighters were taken to a hospital and three were treated and released.

One firefighter, Jay Bettencourt, was in critical condition Friday at the Joseph M. Still burn center in Augusta, Ga.

Fire Chief Scott Burnett says the more than 200 people in the building got out safely.