Off-Duty Firefighter Killed in Chester County Explosion
The victim was a member of the Longwood Fire company
James McGovern was killed while experimenting with rocket fuel in the front yard of his home in Chester County." />
NBC Philadelphia - Byron Scott
Police say James McGovern was killed while experimenting with rocket fuel in the front yard of his home in Chester County.
State Police in Chester County are investigating an explosion that killed an off-duty firefighter at his home.
Investigators say 22-year-old James McGovern was fatally injured Saturday afternoon in the accidental chemical explosion in Kennett Township.
Police were called at about 4:30 p.m. to McGovern's home on the 300 block of Hillendale Road.
Investigators say McGovern was experimenting with homemade rocket fuel in his front yard when the blast occurred. Police say he launched small rockets as a hobby but was not launching the rocket at the time of the incident.
A source tells NBC Philadelphia McGovern was a chemical engineering major at a local university.
The Longwood Fire Company, where McGovern was an active volunteer since 2008, released a statement Sunday night saying he was responsible for mentoring new recruits and was a top responder for calls of service.
“Jim was a pleasure to be around and it was very seldom that you ever saw him without a smile. He was always able to find the positive in any situation. Jim will be greatly missed by both his family at Longwood Fire Company and the fire service as a whole.”
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