Fire battalion chief killed by vehicle explosion

A battalion chief was killed when a burning truck exploded in Greene County Wednesday morning.

Officials said Chris Eddy, a battalion chief with Greene County Fire Rescue, was killed in the blast near Greensboro.

Firefighters were called to the scene before 10 a.m. on Georgia Route 15 just outside Greensboro, according to according to the Union-Recorder.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the fire and explosion, officials said. 

Morgan County Fire Chief Garret Smith told the Morgan County Citizen that a “violent explosion” happened when firefighters opened the the truck.

“At the present time we do not know all the details surrounding the incident, however I feel confident in the coming weeks we will learn more about all that occurred resulting in this tragic event."

The Union-Recorder reported that Eddy was known for his humor among other firefighters.

In a statement from the Greene County Board of Commissioner, they said "It is great sadness that the Greene County Board of Commissioners share the line-of-duty death of Battalion Chief Chris Eddy on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Battalion Chief Eddy was assigned to Greene County Fire Rescue’s Station No. 11. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Battalion Chief Eddy."