A 31-year-old man has been identified as the second person killed when a brush fire swept through the Jamestown Mobile Home Park in Lakewood on Aug. 4.
Zackery McDonough of Lakewood died of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. His death was ruled an accident.
A GoFundMe set up by McDonough's family said that during the last moments of his life he was attempting to rescue his neighbor, 70-year-old Patrick Zmiarovich.
Zmiarovich also died in the fire. His cause of death was smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. His identity and manner of death were released by the Medical Examiner's Office on Aug. 11.
Both victims were found in the same home, according to a previous reporting by The News Tribune.
"Reports suggest their lives were claimed swiftly, yet the impact of Zach's bravery continues to reverberate," the GoFundMe said.
The GoFundMe said that McDonough had reached the evacuation buses the day of the fire, but, when he realized Zmiarovich was absent, he decided to go find him.
"I implore you to share this narrative far and wide. Zach's heroism is a beacon of light in dark times, a testament to the remarkable lengths people will go to save others, defying the odds," the GoFundMe said.
The News Tribune has reached out to the family for further comment.
The brush fire destroyed nine homes, and five other homes were heavily damaged. The cause of the fire is still undetermined, according to West Pierce Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Jenny Weekes.
The GoFundMe is attempting to raise money to help pay for funeral costs. On Wednesday, it has raised $1,328.
