A Broome County fire chief died after suffering a medical emergency while responding to a house fire early Friday morning, according to emergency officials.
James Sitek, chief of the West Colesville Fire Department and a 35-year veteran, collapsed while helping extinguish a residential blaze in Conklin. Despite emergency care at the scene and transport to a Binghamton hospital, he was pronounced dead. All residents escaped the fire, though one sustained minor burns.
Sitek had served as chief for three years. Fellow departments across the region posted tributes honoring his decades of service.
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