Firefighter Killed Battling Arizona Wildfire From Bucks County
By: Diana Rocco
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A 23-year-old man born in Bucks County is one of the 19 firefighters who died battling the Arizona wildfires.
Eyewitness News spoke with one of his childhood friends on Tuesday night, as a candlelight vigil was held in Arizona in memory of the firefighters.
Robert Caldwell, 23, was like a little brother to Adrianne Ciccone. They grew up together in Bucks County.
"It's devastating. It's not fair. He was just getting his life started, as they all were," said Ciccone.
Robert was killed Sunday in the Arizona wildfires, one of 19 Hotshots that died after they were overcome by flames. The courageous group was on the front lines battling the fire, trying to keep it from gaining more ground.
"My father has been in constant contact with his father. He's inconsolable as is his mother and the rest of his family. He was very close with his dad," said Ciccone.
Robert and his family moved to Arizona 15 years ago, but he would come back to visit often. He was a big Philly sports fan, loved Eagles games and his job. Ciccone says he talked about it often.
"He absolutely loved what he did. He knew the danger in what he did," she said.
The last time she saw Robert was at an Eagles game. In November he was newly married and left behind a wife and step child.
"He always wanted to make people happy and take care of people. It's just devastating that I'll never get to talk to him," she said.
