For Immediate Release Officer-In-Charge: Chief Chas McGarvey
Date and Time of News Release:
July 5, 2021, 11:30 AM

Location: 75 E. Lancaster Avenue

Incident Number: F2117423
Date and Time of Incident: 7/4/2021, 10:33 PM
Location of Incident: Rosedale Road, Penn Wynne
Department Spokesperson: Chief Chas McGarvey
For Further Information Contact: Chief Chas McGarvey
Telephone: 610-645-6190

On July 4 at 10:34 PM, the Lower Merion Fire Department, specifically the Penn
Wynne/Overbrook Hills Fire Company responded to a reported structure fire on Rosedale Road,
Wynnewood, 19096. Upon arrival, units found the structure heavily involved with fire and smoke,
fire suppression began, and incident command was established.

At approx. 11:02 pm a mayday was received; the Rapid Intervention Crew went into service and
Firefighter Sean W. DeMuynck was found on the third floor to be unresponsive. Firefighter
DeMuynck was rescued by the Rapid Intervention Crew and transported to Lankenau Hospital in
Wynnewood via Narberth Ambulance departing the scene at approximately11:30 pm and arriving at
the Lankenau Hospital emergency department at approximately 11:37 pm.

Sadly, attempts to revive Firefighter Sean W. DeMuynck were unsuccessful, and he was
pronounced deceased at 12:22 am.

Firefighter DeMuynck has faithfully served the citizens of Penn Wynne and Lower Merion
Township as a Volunteer Firefighter since August of 2019. He is survived by his wife and mother
and father. Firefighter DeMuynck and his wife are Canadian and were due to move back home to
rejoin their family today, July 5, 2021. Firefighter DeMuynck will sorely be missed.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.
All questions and inquiries should be made to Chief Chas McGarvey at
cmcgarvey@lowermerion.org or 610-645-6195.
A Press Conference will be held at 1:00 pm on July 5, 2021 in front of the Penn Wynne Fire
Company at 1440 Manoa Road, Penn Wynne.

Our hearts broke in the early morning hours of July 5, 2021. We suffered an immeasurable loss as one of our own succumbed to his injuries sustained in a fire on July 4th. As we came to grips with the loss of Sean DeMuynck, the Lower Merion Fire Department incurred a second Line of Duty Death within the month, losing Firefighter Tom Royds. We are moving forward however we want to pause and thank those who were by our side during this journey. Community is important to us. The Penn Wynne and first responder communities stepped up in amazing ways. Some called, emailed, or stopped by to offer condolences and support. Food was brought to the station by fellow responders, residents, and businesses. Kind words of sympathy and caring were penned, and pictures were drawn by our youngest community members. Dozens of fire companies throughout the tri-state area provided coverage for our first-due response area allowing us time to heal.

Thank you to those who offered condolences. Thank you for the food which helped feed our brigade and stand-by crews as we gathered in-station. Thank you to those who sent thoughtful gifts to help Sean’s family and our members heal. Thank you to fire companies who provided the stand-by coverage. Thank you to all responders who assisted with paying respects honoring Sean as we escorted his body or processed to and from the memorial service. Thank you to everyone who made the memorial service a fitting tribute to Sean, paying him the highest honors of a fallen firefighter. Thank you to our brothers and sisters of the Lower Merion Township Fire Department. Thank you to everyone who continues to support us.

 Thank You!!!

As the year winds down and we finish it out with the holidays, we want to thank our community, friends, and families for all the support this past year. It was a difficult year for us. You stood by us and we are grateful. From our house to yours, we wish you a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!