SAN ANTONIO – Days after the San Antonio Fire Department lost six-year veteran Scott Deem to a four-alarm structure fire on May 18, first responders across the nation responded to the call in honoring a fellow brother.
The incident also left two SAFD firefighters injured, 11-year veterans with the department Brad Phipps and Robert Vasquez.
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TOP STORY ON KSAT.COM: SAFD Chief Hood: ‘We knew that Scott had perished'
Deem and Phipps were assigned to Ladder 35 and Engine 35 and among the first companies to arrive at the scene of Ingram Park Square where they reported heavy smoke coming from multiple structures in the strip mall.
Ladder 35 and Engine 35 entered the structure to attack the fire and search for possible victims that may be trapped inside.
Tribute for San Antonio Firefighter Scott Deem https://t.co/91ae3QNvR3
— SAFD (@SATXFire) May 23, 2017
Just after reporting heavy smoke and high heat conditions, an emergency tone was sounded and the battalion chief in command ordered all personnel out of the structure.
NEW ON KSAT.COM: Memorial services announced for SA firefighter Scott Deem
Approximately 20 minutes into the incident is when SAFD Chief Charles Hood says the department had its “worst day” after one of the firefighters from Ladder 35 sounded a Mayday call.
“To a fire chief who has been in the business in a long time, we don’t hear a lot of maydays,” Hood said in a press conference the day after the incident. “We’re in a life storm. We need your prayers.”
The scene brought in a total of 83 units to the strip mall after learning Deem and Phipps were among the firefighters from fire station 35 that were unaccounted for.
LEARN MORE ON KSAT.COM: Ingram Square Shopping Center Fire Facts
Phipps was later located and brought out of the structure, but Hood said after being rescued from the structure, he struggled with first responders to go back in to find Deem.
Thanks for the love and support. If you wish to add to memorial, please bring items to HQ on S. Santa Rosa. Thank you from @SATXFire
— SAFD (@SATXFire) May 19, 2017
“There were reports that as he was brought out wounded, injured, he was battling the paramedics to go back in the fire,” Hood said. “That’s one of the things you see and you have to corral every single person in part of that rescue, because they’re going to try and go back in.”
Hood said Vasquez was one of the rescuers in the Technical Rescue Team attempting to locate Deem, but was brought out of the structure approximately 48 minutes into the incident after suffering injuries that prevented him to continue with the assignment.
READ MORE ON KSAT.COM: Friends, family of fallen firefighter Scott Deem gather for candlelight vigil
After multiple attempts to locate the missing firefighter, all rescue operations ceased due to the fire conditions within the structure were deemed too dangerous to continue search operations.
Chief Hood said it was his decision to make the difficult call as he couldn’t risk losing 10 to 15 more firefighters because he knew nothing would have stopped the men and women in uniform in rescuing their fallen brother.
Ahead of #Game3 of #Spurs vs #Warriors, @Spurs honor @SATXFire Scott Deem who was killed in Thursday night's tragedy. #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/H7Vo3aOIhc
— Adrian Garcia (@adrianrolgarcia) May 21, 2017
The loss of a firefighter with two others injured was felt across the nation by first responders, sending their condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and to the San Antonio Fire Department.
FOLLOW ON KSAT.COM: @KSATadrian
Hood said in the press conference it’s a brotherhood that other first responders can relate to as you spend “a third-of-your life” in this line of duty.
Scroll below to see the support from other departments that have sent their love to the families affected and the San Antonio Fire Department.
Thoughts and prayers w/family, friends and @SATXFire on loss of their firefighter last night. Also thinking of 2 FF’s injured in the blaze pic.twitter.com/bYeeprqQ9E
— Fairfax Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) May 19, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with @SATXFire and firefighter Deem’s family. Thank you for your service to Texas. #StandWithSAFD
— TX Fire Marshal (@TXSFMO) May 19, 2017
LexCo Fire Service & Public Safety offer our condolences to the family of FF Scott Deem and his brothers & sisters at @SATXFire pic.twitter.com/R3aAAyFkf0
— @CountyofLexington (@CountyLex) May 19, 2017
Keeping our brothers and sisters from @SATXFire in your thoughts and prayers. #RIPBrother #LODD pic.twitter.com/eCdVXmH4uc
— Plantation Fire (@PlantationFire) May 19, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with the San Antonio FD today. @SATXFire https://t.co/BbNpASMyP0
— AmarilloFire (@AmarilloFire) May 19, 2017
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13 - #RIP @IAFF624 @SATXFire pic.twitter.com/ogosCOvDac
— Plano Firefighters (@PlanoFFs2149) May 19, 2017
LexCo Fire Service & Public Safety offer our condolences to the family of FF Scott Deem and his brothers & sisters at @SATXFire pic.twitter.com/R3aAAyFkf0
— @CountyofLexington (@CountyLex) May 19, 2017
#FirstResponders on the coast are praying for @SATXFire and family members of Scott Deem. Hoping for a speedy recovery of the 2 injured. pic.twitter.com/bSRbaSfnKc
— Corpus Christi PD (@CorpusChristiPD) May 19, 2017
#TheCFD offers condolences to the family of Firefighter Scott Deem and the @SATXFire on their loss #LODD #firefighter pic.twitter.com/iSel3Pnk7z
— Columbia Fire (@ColaFire) May 19, 2017
Prayers go out to our brothers & sisters at @SATXFire this morning. 6 year FF Scott Deem lost his life in a commercial fire. pic.twitter.com/AJZ7AZAiGe
— Wayne Twp Fire Dept (@Waynetwpfire) May 19, 2017
Our best wishes and prayers to the injured firefighters and their families- at home and fire station @SATXFire https://t.co/KACbI4sQBd
— Chief Samuel Peña (@FireChiefofHFD) May 19, 2017
Thoughts & Prayers with #Local624 @SATXFire as they mourn the loss of Firefighter Scott Deem. #RIP pic.twitter.com/0oC9wZws3C
— IAFF Local 935 (@SBCoFFLocal935) May 20, 2017
Rest in peace Brother. Prayers to the injured Firefighters and all families involved. Stay strong San Antonio Fire.
— MNFFF (@MNFFFORG) May 20, 2017
Heartbroken for the loss of our fallen brother Scott Deem @SATXFire. We pray and mourn for his family, friends and fellow firefighters. pic.twitter.com/w0oSlkyiDl
— FBI SanAntonio (@FBISanAntonio) May 19, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with the @SATXFire and their families as they suffer the tragic loss of brother Firefighter Scott Deem. pic.twitter.com/kkOZaBOSnS
— El Paso Fire Department (@EPTXFire) May 19, 2017
Our thoughts are with @SATXFire as they mourn the loss of a brother. RIP FF Deem we've got it from here pic.twitter.com/RbgrKwZTw9
— Atascocita Fire (@atascocitafire) May 19, 2017
We join @SATXFire in mourning the loss of FF Scott Deem & pray for the recovery of two others inj during firefighting operations last night. pic.twitter.com/YjvZteKhoh
— Denton Police Dept (@DENTONPD) May 19, 2017
Condolences to @SATXFire & family of Frf. Scott Deem who died on-scene at 4-alarm shopping ctr fire. ATF assisting fire investigation #LODD pic.twitter.com/lOHdSUkgQC
— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) May 19, 2017
Our prayers go out to @SATXFire as we join in mourning the loss of FF Scott Deem. Wishing a speedy recovery for the injured firefighters too pic.twitter.com/FBm1YHoynO
— Grand Prairie Police (@GrandPrairiePD) May 20, 2017
What a tragic loss! Our sincere condolences to the SAFD and all the families of the injured and fallen.
— Rio Rico Medical & Fire (@RioRicoFD) May 20, 2017
Thoughts with the brothers and sisters with @IAFF624 & @SATXFire on the death of #SanAntonio #Firefighter Brother Scott Deem. #RFB
— Fairfax Co, VA FTB (@FairfaxCoFTB) May 21, 2017
Our condolences go to @SATXFire, where Firefighter Scott Deem has been lost in the line of duty. #wsfire .11 pic.twitter.com/CvCZ9JCBvh
— Winston-Salem FD (@cityofwsfire) May 22, 2017
Our hearts go out to @SATXFire and the family and friends of Firefighter Scott Deem. Rest in peace. https://t.co/Sb9g4czvDe
— North Metro Fire (@NMFirePIO) May 23, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with the San Antonio Fire Department (TX) and the family of Firefighter Scott Deem. On May...
Posted by Salem Fire & EMS Department on Friday, May 19, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with the San Antonio Fire Department and their families as they suffer the tragic loss of brother Firefighter Scott Deem.
Posted by El Paso Fire Department on Friday, May 19, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters of San Antonio Fire Department today. Last night Firefighter...
Posted by Beaumont Fire Rescue, Texas on Friday, May 19, 2017
A sad day for the San Antonio Fire Department as they lost the life of firefighter Scott Deem and the injury of two...
Posted by OC Firefighters, Local 3631 on Friday, May 19, 2017
Our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters of the San Antonio Fire Department during this difficult time. We pray for quick healing and comfort.
Posted by Eastex Fire Department on Friday, May 19, 2017
With heavy hearts we stand with our brothers and sisters from the San Antonio Fire department as they cope with the loss...
Posted by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Florida on Friday, May 19, 2017
Our condolences to the family and friends of San Antonio Fire Department Firefighter Scott Deem
Posted by Weston Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, May 20, 2017
Our thoughts & prayers go out to the family of the fallen San Antonio Fireman & also to the San Antonio Fire Department.
Posted by Dallas Police Department on Friday, May 19, 2017
Local 341 is saddened to learn of the passing of brother Scott Deem, a 6-year veteran of the San Antonio Fire Department...
Posted by Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association on Friday, May 19, 2017
We mourn along with our brother first responders at the San Antonio Fire Department for the loss of fire fighter Scott...
Posted by Laredo Police Department on Saturday, May 20, 2017
Please keep San Antonio Professional Fire Fighters Association & San Antonio Fire Department in your thoughts & Prayers....
Posted by Plano Firefighters Association on Friday, May 19, 2017
Waking up to such sad news this morning from our family at the San Antonio Fire Department. One firefighter--Scott Deem,...
Posted by Austin Fire Department on Friday, May 19, 2017
1 LODD/1 Non-LODD: (San Antonio Fire Department & Brookshire Volunteer Fire Department) LODD: (Line of Duty Death) It...
Posted by Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department on Friday, May 19, 2017