A North Royalton firefighter died Monday night, Nov. 2, while battling a house fire in Broadview Heights, Mayor Paul Marnecheck confirmed in a statement.

A second North Royalton firefighter was seriously injured at the same fire. Marnecheck said that firefighter remained in serious but stable condition as of Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to WKYC.

"The City of North Royalton is saddened to share that our Fire Department suffered a loss of one of our own last evening," Marnecheck said. "While battling a house fire in Broadview Heights, two of our firefighters suffered extensive injuries, with one being fatal, and our other firefighter in serious but stable condition."

The fire broke out before 9 p.m. at a home on the 2100 block of West Royalton Road, also known as state Route 82, first reported by Fox 8. First responders from multiple area departments responded to the scene.

Fox 8 reported that dispatch radio traffic captured calls of "Mayday, Mayday" and "We have a firefighter down in the basement. Get a second squad here ASAP."

Two people were inside the home at the time and were able to escape, according to Fox 8's reporting on tributes. A cause has not been determined.

Multiple police officers who responded were also taken to the hospital after experiencing smoke inhalation, according to Broadview Heights Police Chief Don Polick, as reported by WKYC. Fox 8 reported five officers were treated for smoke inhalation.

The Broadview Heights Police Department said West Royalton Road was closed between Scottsdale Drive and Oakwood Drive for an investigation.

Marnecheck asked residents to respect the families' privacy. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen firefighter and his family, as well as our injured firefighter and his family," he said. "I ask our community to join me in keeping our firefighters and their families in your hearts and prayers, while respecting their privacy."

Regional fire departments rally around North Royalton

By Tuesday morning, fire departments and firefighter unions across Northeast Ohio had begun sharing messages of support for the North Royalton Fire Department and IAFF Local 2156.

Brunswick Hills Firefighters wrote on Facebook: "The fire service is a tight-knit family, and in times of loss, municipal borders disappear. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our brothers and sisters in North Royalton as we mourn this painful loss and honor their service and sacrifice."

The Akron Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 330, said it "stands in solidarity" with the North Royalton Fire Department and Local 2156. Wadsworth Fire & EMS IAFF Local 4136, Warrensville Heights Local 1591 and the Woodmere Fire Department also shared condolences, as did departments in Valley View, Madison, Burton and Washington Township.

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson issued a statement saying his office joins "the residents of North Royalton in mourning the loss of a member of their city fire department."

A community member lowered a flag to half-staff at the entrance of a nearby neighborhood Tuesday morning, Fox 8 reported.