One of three firefighters killed while battling a fast-growing wildfire in Washington was from the Chicago area, his family said.
Andrew Zajac, 26, of Downers Grove, was killed Wednesday along with two other member of an engine crew from Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in central Washington after their vehicle crashed and was overtaken by flames.
Tom Zbyszewski, 20, and Richard Wheeler, 31 also died in the blaze.
The fire was driven by wind and spread erratically, the U.S. Forest Service said.
"We know that these fires have burned a big hole in our state's heart," Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said earlier Thursday. "These are three big heroes protecting small towns."
Zajac, a graduate of North High School, was remembered in his former neighborhood as a hero.
“Nobody likes to see anybody go at that age, but my gosh did he go in a heroic manner,” said family friend John Mulford. “It’s incredibly heroic for people to put themselves out there, knowing the dangers in that situation.”
Zajac’s mother is a pastor at “Baker Memorial United Methodist Church” and his father a dentist.
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“We grieve the loss of Pastor Mary and Jim Zajac’s son, Andrew, while fighting wildfires in the state of Washington,” the church posted on Facebook Thursday. “We have no additional information at this time. Please keep them in your hearts and prayers.”
Zajac’s family told NBC News that they’re in Washington, mourning the loss of their son.
“He was just a go getter,” said Mulford. “He was an activist, had a big heart. I think he should be remembered for somebody who didn’t just watch TV, watch life go by. He was a real doer.”
