A St. Louis firefighter who died when a house collapsed on him and another firefighter went to college in Springfield.

Benjamin Polson died in the fire.

He graduated from high school in 2007.

KY3 reports he went to Missouri State University and got his MBA from Drury University.

No word on how bad the other firefighter was hurt.

Original Story

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A St. Louis firefighter died and another was injured after a large house collapsed while the firefighters were searching to make sure no one was inside.

Fire officials identified the firefighter who died as Benjamin Polson. He had been with the department since November 2019.

Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson says the blaze broke out before noon Thursday in north St. Louis.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze on the first floor and went to the second.

The flames there were so intense they decided to leave.

That’s when the roof and upper floor collapsed.

The extent of the surviving firefighter’s injuries is not yet known.

It is with profound sadness and grief that we announce the tragic line of duty death of Firefighter Benjamin Polson.

Firefighter Polson died while courageously fighting a house fire in the 5900 block of Cote Brilliante earlier today.

Arrangements will be forthcoming. pic.twitter.com/69p8Uah4iO

— St. Louis Fire Dept (@STLFireDept) January 13, 2022