APOPKA, Fla. – The Apopka Professional Firefighters Association held a vigil Thursday evening to remember firefighter Austin Duran — one which the public was welcomed to attend.
The vigil took place at 8:30 p.m. at 176 E. 5th St., across from Apopka Fire Station 1. That’s where firefighters set up a small memorial for Duran.
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Duran, 25, died last week after battling injuries caused by a workplace accident. He was taken to the hospital on June 30 after getting hurt while trying to move a sand trailer filled with hazardous liquids and gases.
Duran endured multiple surgeries before succumbing to his injuries.
A couple hundred people attended the vigil for the fallen firefighter, lighting candles and placing roses on his memorial.
Kyle Lampp, vice president of the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association, said Duran was loved by the department, and the community continues to show their outpouring of support.
“It was absolutely amazing. You know, it’s been like that since day one. Ever since the accident occurred, the outpouring of support from the community has been absolutely nothing short of spectacular, and that’s been proven tonight,” Lampp said. “He was very likable. A lot of guys and females in the department grew to like him real quick. I had an opportunity to work with him a bit. He was a Halo fanatic. He loved playing on his XBox, so I know that’s what he’s doing right now. He’s up in heaven playing on his XBox, just playing Halo, smiling down on us.”
In a GoFundMe update made on Saturday, Duran’s sister wrote, “Yesterday was a bad day for our family ... Austin fought this fight like a warrior, like a hero.”
The community came together, hosting multiple fundraisers and a tribute run in his honor.
Funeral services and a vehicle procession will be held Saturday for Duran, but the services will be limited to family and firefighters.
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