Investigation continues after firefighter’s injury

By Brad Meyer in The Conroe Courier
Heavy smoke and reduced visibility contributed to an accident that caused a Montgomery firefighter to lose a portion of his hand Monday morning. The Montgomery Fire Department responded to a commercial warehouse fire on Commerce Row in Montgomery at 4 a.m. Monday. A firefighter using a saw to gain entrance through a metal door came in contact with a fellow firefighter, resulting in the accident, Montgomery Fire Department Chief Brian Edwards said.

The victim, Josh Cockrum, was transported by ground to Memorial-Hermann-The Texas Medical Center in Houston, where doctors are attempting to salvage his hand, Edwards said.

“They’re doing all they can,” he said, “but it’s too early to know for sure what will happen.”

Cockrum, a full-time firefighter, had been with the fire department for only three months, Edwards said. He attributed the accident to the reduced visibility caused by dense smoke. Assistant Fire Marshal Scott Burlin, of the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office, said officials were on the scene of the accident and continue to investigate the circumstances. A preliminary report is expected to be released later today.

Firefighers are making plans for a benefit in support of Cockrum, but they have not been finalized.