Volunteer firefighter dies after battling blaze in Cultus Lake, B.C.

CHILLIWACK, B.C. – A volunteer firefighter has died after suffering a cardiac arrest while battling a blaze in Cultus Lake, B.C.

Fifty-seven-year-old Brian Smyth was a seven-year member of the Columbia Valley Volunteer Fire Department.

The Fraser Valley Regional District has released a statement that says the fire department responded to a call at around 5 p.m. on March 4.

Smyth sought medical attention at 9:20 p.m. and was treated at the scene before being rushed to Royal Columbian Hospital soon after.

He was on life support for two days before dying while surrounded by family and friends.

The district says he continues to give back in death, as he donated his organs to save the lives of others.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version misspelled Brian Smyth’s given name.