Truck explodes, Greene Co. battalion chief killed

Published 3:48 pm Wednesday, September 4, 2024

GREENSBORO, Ga. — Firefighters from throughout Greene County and across Georgia are mourning the death of one of their own.

Greene County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Chris Eddy was killed in an explosion while battling a truck fire Wednesday morning, authorities say.

The explosion happened shortly before 10 a.m. on Ga. Route 15 near Lick Skillet Road just on the outskirts of the city limits of Greensboro, according to authorities.

Other details had not been released as of Wednesday afternoon.

Eddy’s death is under investigation by troopers with the Georgia State Patrol post in Madison.

The tragedy has affected not only firefighters, but the Greene County community.

Condolences poured in Wednesday afternoon via social media posts as friends shared thoughts about the man admired and respected by his peers and those he worked with.

A veteran firefighter, Eddy was known for being serious when he needed to be and a jokester when he could be with his colleagues and others.

The Greene County Board of Commissioners expressed condolences in the following post:

“It is great sadness that the Greene County Board of Commissioners share the line-of-duty death of Battalion Chief Chris Eddy on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Battalion Chief Eddy was assigned to Greene County Fire Rescue’s Station No. 11. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Battalion Chief Eddy.”

Greene County Coroner Jeff Smith said Eddy’s body was taken to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory in Decatur where an autopsy would be performed to determine the exact cause and manner of death.