Paramedic Responds to Fire at His Own Home — Learns His Daughter Was Trapped Inside

A devastating tragedy unfolded in Elon, North Carolina, when a veteran paramedic was called to a house fire—only to discover that the burning home was his own and that his daughter was trapped inside. The heartbreaking incident has left a community in mourning and has highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness and lifesaving skills.

According to a report from CTV News, the fire broke out early Tuesday morning near Elon. As responders with the Altamahaw-Ossipee Fire Department were en route, they were informed that someone was trapped inside the residence. Among them was paramedic Eddie Thomas, a dedicated responder with more than 30 years of service, unaware that he was rushing toward his own home.

When crews arrived, they discovered that Thomas’ 40-year-old daughter, Candice, was inside the burning structure. Firefighters were able to rescue her and immediately began CPR before she was transported to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts, Candice tragically passed away later that day.

Fire truck rushing to a house fire emergency in response to a trapped victim.
A fire truck races toward the scene where a paramedic would soon discover the blaze was at his own home.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Thomas family with medical expenses, funeral costs, and the extensive property damage. The fire department is also collecting donations to support him during this unimaginable loss.

Altamahaw-Ossipee Fire Chief Edward Lipscomb shared the community’s grief, telling reporters:

“We’re just trying to get (Thomas) what he needs. Losing everything you got is unimaginable; losing your daughter in the event is — I don’t even know how to comprehend that.”

Read the full original report here:
👉 Paramedic responds to fire at his own home, learns his daughter was trapped inside

Why First Aid & CPR Training Matters

Emergencies can unfold in seconds. Even skilled responders face moments where immediate action can make all the difference. Knowing how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) dramatically increases survival rates in life-threatening situations.

To gain these essential lifesaving skills, consider enrolling in certified CPR and AED training through Calgary First Aid:
👉 https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/

CPR training empowers everyday people to step in confidently before emergency crews arrive.


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