Battalion Chief Chris Eddy of Greene County Fire Rescue was killed in an explosion on Sept. 4 after he responded to a tractor-trailer fire on Hwy. 15 near Lickskillet Road.
Greene County’s Emergency Management Agency Director Joe Bashore said the accident is still under investigation.
Greene County firefighters and EMS personnel are accompanying Eddy’s body as it is being taken to the crime lab in Atlanta as part of the investigation into the tragic accident.
Bashore said the state fire marshal’s office was investigating the cause of the explosion, and the truck appeared to have been hauling frozen chickens.
Chief Rodney Wiggins was notifying family members in the hours after Eddy was killed.
Bashore said his department was blessed to have the assistance of several area fire departments (Morgan County, Covington, Wilkes County, Oconee County, and others) that have chipped in to assist in Greene County while its own firefighters are attending to their fallen comrades.
Greene County first responders remember Eddy as a selfless and generous man who was a shining example of what it means to be a first responder.
“GCFR has no words right now,” they said in a Facebook post. “We are truly in disbelief. Pray for our department over the next few days and weeks ahead. RIP Chief Eddy!”
According to Morgan County Fire Chief Garret Smith, Eddy was a Morgan County resident who lived in Buckhead and volunteered as a firefighter at Station 4 in Buckhead as well.
“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,” Smith posted on the Morgan County Fire Rescue Facebook page. “I ask that we allow the investigation into the circumstances to unfold and resist speculating and spreading inaccurate information. I know Chris would want all of us to take something away from this.
“During my short time here, I had many opportunities to talk with Chris, and it was obvious from the first time I met him that he was very passionate about the fire service. Chris was a fireman’s fireman, always ready to help, always willing to teach, and always ready to respond. Chris embodied everything a fireman is. Please keep his family, Greene County Fire Rescue, and Morgan County Fire Rescue in your thoughts and prayers.”