Maui Firefighter Death Unexpected

By Wendy Osher

Maui firefighter Duane Ibarra died on duty on 1/18/2012. Courtesy photo.

A 20 year veteran of the Maui Fire Department died while on duty last night at the Makawao Fire Station.

Firefighter III, Duane Ibarra, 50, was found unresponsive at 6:22 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, and was later pronounced dead, according to a county statement released this afternoon.

County officials said, “The Maui Fire Department and the entire Maui County ohana would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Ibarra family.”

Friends and co-workers expressed similar sentiment upon learning of Ibarra’s passing.

Circumstances surrounding Ibarra’s death were not immediately available.