Fire Chief Dies After Battling House Fire

LANCASTER, S.C.,None — In many small communities, the volunteer fire department is the center of activity -- a place to meet, eat barbecue and hold community fundraisers.

On Tuesday, the Elgin community outside Lancaster is mourning the death of a volunteer fire chief. Dennis Cauthen, 54, died shortly after fighting an overnight fire.

At 2:45 a.m., he was with more than a dozen of other firefighters battling a fire at a vacant house on 15th Street. During the call, Cauthen complained of what he called heartburn.

SLIDESHOW: Lancaster House Destroyed By Fire

CHOPPER VIDEO: Vacant House Destroyed By Fire

He was on the scene working until just before 6 a.m., when fire crews finished the job. On the way back to the station, he was still having pain, and the engine stopped to get him something to drink.

Lancaster County Fire Marshal Stephen Blackwelder said he continued to have pain.

"His condition worsened at the fire department," he said. "They called 911 and got EMS there."

Only two hours later, at 8 a.m., Cauthen was pronounced dead at Springs Hospital. The official cause is not yet known, but authorities think a sudden medical condition was responsible.

"(It's a) big surprise. Big surprise. He was a good man," said Joe Brown, who runs Cauthen's flooring business on Main Street in Lancaster.

He said he couldn't believe it when he got the call Tuesday morning.

Cauthen and his wife, Teresa, have owned Williams Flooring for about 30 years, but it wasn't Cauthen's passion, Brown said.

"If he had a choice, he wouldn't be here -- he'd be a firefighter," he said. "He loved it."

In fact, on Tuesday morning, Cauthen was on the first engine to the fire scene on 15th street.

The vacant house was condemned last fall when Brice Catoe was forced to move out. He moved next door, and was the one who called 911 in the middle of the night.

"I looked out and saw the smoke coming from over there, and I knew the house was burning" Catoe said.

The side wall of Catoe's house is blackened, and the overhanging tree limbs above it are charred. Fortunately, firefighters were able to save his home.

Catoe didn't know until Eyewitness News told him that a firefighter had died shortly after leaving.

His daughter, Shirley Catoe, was also stunned to learn what had happened after everyone thought it was all over.

"I'm sad to hear that. He died trying to save something else," she said.

Cauthen's death is considered in the line of duty. Blackwelder said he will have a full firefighter's funeral and be buried with honors, though details have not been announced yet.

"Just a fine man," Blackwelder told reporters. "A very, very fine man. Deeply rooted in his community."

Cauthen is survived by his parents, wife, three grown children and four grandchildren.

WSOC