Report finds breakdown in communications in fatal fire - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

Abbotsford (WQOW) - New information is released Friday surrounding the death of an area firefighter.

Jamison Kampmeyer died in March, while fighting the fire at the historic Abby Theatre in Abbotsford.

State officials say a breakdown in communication that day was a big issue, and they found other violations by the Abbotsford and Colby fire departments.

In a new report, state safety officials say fire crews weren't communicating as well as they should have to coordinate their efforts. For example, while Abbotsford fire fighters were spraying water on the roof outside, which was already heavy with snow, Colby fire fighters were inside, trying to fight the fire. The Colby fire chief says as his crew was heading out to safety, the roof collapsed, killing Kampmeyer who was trapped inside.

"Whether it was on Abbotsford's radio frequency or on Colby's frequency, there wasn't communication between the two agencies that there should have been," says Colby Fire Chief Ross Rannow.

The state found other problems, like a lack of safety inspections and guidebook violations. Abbotsford's fire chief says the crews have been training together now on a monthly basis.