Firefighter Dies Fighting A Fire

SISSONVILLE, W.Va. -- A fierce and unforgiving fire robbed one family of a home and one firefighter of his life Monday afternoon.

Officials say John Appleton, 62, of Malden, suffered cardiac arrest while fighting a fire that destroyed a home along Happy Hollow Road.

He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

Appleton served as chaplain for the Malden Fire Department was also a pastor for Kanawha Salines Presbyterian Church.

The loss has first responders and community remembers reeling from shock and grief.

Officials say it's not clear right now what caused the fire. No one was inside the home when it started.