West Colesville Fire Chief James Sitek dies as firefighters battle July 4 blaze in Conklin
Sitek responded to a house fire at 21 JR Blvd in Conklin with the West Colesville Fire Company, which was called in for aid as multiple fire departments battled the blaze.
Sitek suffered an apparent medical emergency during the incident.
Medical care was provided by emergency personnel at the scene and Sitek was transported to Wilson Hospital by Broome Ambulance. Sitek was pronounced dead a short time later, according to the Broome County Office of Emergency Services.
Sitek was a 35-year volunteer firefighter of the West Colesville Fire Company. He held many roles during his tenure and had served as Fire Chief for the past three years.
In a statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she is "deeply saddened by the loss of one of New York State's bravest." Sitek "courageously dedicated his life to protecting his community," Hochul said.
'On behalf of the State of New York, I extend my deepest condolences to Jim's family, the entire West Colesville Fire Company, and all who knew and served alongside him," said Hochul. "Broome County is a safer place because of Jim's selfless service — and we are eternally grateful for his decades-long commitment to the people of New York State."
The fire was reported to the Broome County 911 Center shortly before 3 a.m. July 4. The Conklin, Five Mile Point and Town of Binghamton fire departments along with the Broome Ambulance were dispatched to the scene while Kirkwood and Hallstead, Pennsylvania Fire Departments were placed on stand-by.
Firefighters arrived on scene to find the residence engulfed in flames and immediately called for a second alarm response, which brought in firefighters from the Kirkwood, West Colesville, West Windsor and Hallstead fire departments.
More: Tunnel to Towers Foundation pays off mortgage of fallen Binghamton firefighter JR Gaudet
The occupants were able to escape the residence, with one person suffering light burns to the legs, the Broome County Office of Emergency Services said.
Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control in under an hour and then worked to ensure there were no leftover pockets of fire in the home.
The Broome County Fire Investigation Office, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the Broome County Sheriff's Office are all investigating the incident.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: West Colesville Fire Chief James Sitek dies in line of duty July 4
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Washington Post
5 hours ago
- Washington Post
6 backyard privacy tricks to keep nosy neighbors away
We love our home in Colorado, with one massive caveat. The occupants of three neighboring houses can peer directly into our backyard, a lawn that is often dotted with toys, garden tools and other evidence of our family's decidedly free-range life. Time has proved that we cannot change our ways, so we need privacy, stat.

Associated Press
5 hours ago
- Associated Press
A pacing dog helps Swiss rescuers find a man who fell into a glacier
GENEVA (AP) — Rescuers on Tuesday hailed as a 'four-legged hero' a furry Chihuahua whose pacing atop an Alpine rock helped a helicopter crew find its owner, who had fallen into a crevasse on a Swiss glacier nearby. The man, who was not identified, was exploring the Fee Glacier in southern Switzerland on Friday when he broke through a snow bridge and fell nearly 8 meters (about 26 feet), according to AirZermatt, a rescue, training and transport company. Equipped with a walkie-talkie, the man connected with a person nearby who relayed the accident to emergency services. But the exact location was unknown. After about a half-hour search, the pacing pooch caught the eye of a rescue team member. As the crew zeroed on the Chihuahua, the hole the man fell into became more visible. Rescuers rappelled down, rescued the man and flew him and his canine companion to a hospital. 'Imagine if the dog wasn't there,' AirZermatt spokesman Bruno Kalbermatten said by phone. 'I have no idea what would happen to this guy. I think he wouldn't survive this fall into the crevasse.' On its website, the company was effusive: 'The dog is a four-legged hero who may have saved his master's life in a life-threatening situation.'


Washington Post
6 hours ago
- Washington Post
A Paris man will be decorated for saving children from fire
PARIS — A man who saved several people including children and babies from a fire last week in Paris while balancing on a narrow ledge will be decorated for his courage. Fousseynou Cissé is making headlines in France after risking his life to help those trapped in a top-floor apartment located in a northern district of Paris.