CHRISTOPHER (WSIL) —ÌýIt’s been months since Christopher firefighter, 24-year-oldÌýKody Vanfossan lost his life while fighting a fire. Flames engulfed the vacant two-story furniture store on West Market StreetÌýwith Vanfossan inside. Vanfossan is the grandson of Christopher Mayor Gary Bartolotti. Mayor Bartolotti says he feels somewhat responsible.Ìý
"So many things go through your mind and you feel that guilt. No matter if it was my grandson or not," says Bartolotti.Ìý
At Monday’s Christopher Council meetingÌýleaders voted to retire Vanfossan’s badge number 237.
"Since the birth of Christopher, we’ve lost one police officerÌýand IÌýthink that was back in the 30s. He’s the first fireman in over a hundred years," explains Bartolotti.Ìý
Council members hope to also use more of Vanfossan’s personal items. To keep the fallen firefighter’s memory alive.
"They may beÌýon display at the fire department, it could be on display at the civic center, or we might very well give them to the family," says Bartolotti.Ìý
Bartolotti says the first step was to retire the badge number. The next is to make sure this incident doesn’t happen again.Ìý
"The second step is to find out what we can do different that this doesn’t happen to another firefighter and that would honor his name," says Bartolotti.Ìý
Vanfossan’s father was also injured in the fire but has recovered. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.Ìý
Ìý
Ìý
