Firefighter killed in propane blast

FLORA — A Rankin County firefighter was fatally injured in an accident involving a propane tank here last week.

Madison County Coroner Alex Breeland said that Rodney Herndon, 55, was killed Tuesday, Aug. 11, when a propane tank he was filling exploded.

“It happened while he was filling a propane tank and that is all I will say about that,” Breeland said.

Flora Fire Department and Madison County Sheriff’s personnel responded to the accident.

Herndon was Assistant Chief of Cleary Fire Department in Rankin County. Herndon also regularly worked with the Florence Fire Department. He has also worked with the Shannon Fire Department, where he is originally from, and the Pearl Fire Department.

Rankin County Emergency Operations released a statement Wednesday saying that Herndon was well-loved and would be greatly missed.

“Rankin County Emergency Operations would like to send our condolences to the family of Rodney Herndon,” the statement read. “Rodney was a father, husband, volunteer firefighter, and many more things to a lot of people. His dedication to the Florence and Cleary community will be missed. We take comfort in knowing that Rodney lived a life of service and commitment to all who knew him. You will be greatly missed. Rest easy, sir, we'll take it from here.”

In addition to working as a firefighter, Herndon also operated a stump grinding business with his brother-in-law and father-in-law and has worked for the Blossman Gas Company since 2016.