Firefighter dies after suffering medical emergency at Franklin County fire

A White Level firefighter died while on duty Tuesday afternoon.

According to Franklin County Emergency Services, fire crews responded to a house fire in the 1300 block of Hickory Rock Road in the White Level community.

White Level Fire Chief Linwood Powell told WRAL News that while responding to the fire, Dale Malone, 66, suffered a medical emergency. He was transported to the hospital, where he later died.

The fire was under control just after 4:37 p.m. It is unclear what started the fire.