Canadian firefighter, hockey coach dies battling fire in Pennsylvania
Sean DeMuynck, a volunteer firefighter who won the Memorial Cup as a video coach with the Windsor Spitfires, has died while battling a fire in Pennsylvania.
According to Pennsylvania media, DeMuynck, a volunteer firefighter in Wynnewood, Penn., died at the hospital after fighting the blaze during his last call before he was set to move back to Canada.
“The Windsor Spitfires are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and former colleague Sean W. DeMuynck. Our love and thoughts go out to Sean and all of his family and friends,” a statement from the Spitfires says.
DeMuynck, who was originally from Elgin, Ont., worked as the Spitfires video coach from 2013-2017 and won a Memorial Cup championship with the team in 2017.
Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler remembers Demuynck as a hard worker and fun person.
“He always came prepared. Whenever there was a question or something was needed, Sean obviously had it prepared for his staff, his coaches,” he says. “That's all I can say. He was a real fun guy to be around and a tireless worker”
DeMuynck had been volunteering as a volunteer firefighter in Penn Wynne and Lower Merion Township since August 2019.
A news release from the Lower Merion Township Fire Department says crews responded to the blaze Sunday around 10:34 p.m. and upon arrival “found the structure heavily involved with fire and smoke, fire suppression began and incident command was established.”
Around 11:02 p.m. the department received a mayday and the Rapid Intervention Crew went into service.
Fire officials say DeMuynek was found on the third floor of the home unresponsive. He was rescued from the residence, and taken to the hospital, but staff were unable to revive him.
“The entire Windsor Spitfires organization is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former video coach Sean DeMuynck. Sean was an awesome person to be around and always came to the rink well prepared. Sean will be dearly missed by everyone,” Bowler says.
DeMuynck is survived by his wife and parents. The couple had planned to move back home to rejoin their family Monday, the statement says.
“Firefighter and Spitfire DeMuynck will be missed. Once a Spitfire, Always a Spitfire.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police find person of interest in deadly shooting at Chicago-area parade
Highland Park's police chief said the 22-year-old man identified as a person of interest in the shooting that killed at least six people, wounded at least 30 and sent hundreds of people fleeing from an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago on Monday has been taken into custody.

Former Sask. premier Brad Wall gave strategic advice to key convoy organizer
Former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall was in contact with a key organizer of the Freedom Convoy anti-mandate protest, providing strategic advice before and after the Ottawa occupation began, according to court records obtained by CTV News.
Daughter of Toronto Blue Jays coach killed in 'terrible accident' while tubing in U.S.
The 17-year-old daughter of the Toronto Blue Jays' first base coach died in a 'terrible accident' while tubing in the U.S. this weekend.
U.S. man to be charged with kidnapping, rape after Edmonton teen found: Oregon police
A 41-year-old man will be charged with kidnapping and rape after an Edmonton girl who was missing for more than a week was found, Oregon City Police said.
'It's the real deal': Doctors warn about future wave fuelled by Omicron variants
COVID-19 cases are rising again in Canada, with the two fast-spreading Omicron sub-variants known as BA.4 and BA.5 to blame. CTVNews.ca has a guide to what you need to know about the new variants.
Sydney floods affect 50,000 around Australia's largest city
Hundreds of homes have been inundated in and around Australia's largest city in a flood emergency that was causing trouble for 50,000 people, officials said Tuesday.
Saanich, B.C. bank shooter was rejected by military, CAF says
One of the twin brothers who was killed in a shootout with police outside a bank in Saanich, B.C., last week had applied to join the Canadian Armed Forces but was rejected, a military spokesperson confirmed Monday.
Canada signs $20B compensation agreement on First Nations child welfare
The federal government says it has signed a $20-billion final settlement agreement to compensate First Nations children and families harmed by chronic underfunding of child welfare.
How to avoid luggage headaches amid air travel chaos
Travellers might not have any control over long lines and cancelled flights, but there are ways to minimize luggage disasters. From tracking devices for your luggage to packing light, here are some tips and tricks for your next trip through the airport.