PHOTOS: A beloved eastern North Carolina firefighter died Friday during an incident while on vacation, according to fire officials. Jay Lyons, 25, a firefighter at Red Oak Community Rural Fire Department, died outside the country during the trip, Red Oak fire officials said. Lyons, of Tarboro, was described as โour brotherโ by crews at Red Oak Fire, who added he deployed to western North Carolina to help the Little River Fire Department in Transylvania County following Hurricane Helene. โHe was an optimistic person who loved his family,โ Red Oak fire officials said. โJay was well-liked here at Red Oak and he made a lasting impression on everyone.โ Lyons also served at the Leggett Volunteer Fire Department and with Edgecombe County Emergency Services. Lyon was also the government operations coordinator at the American Red Cross North Carolina.
