36-year-old firefighter laid to rest after deadly Broadview Heights fire
Governor DeWine ordered flags to half-staff as a procession winds through North Royalton for Ryan Milligan.
By Sakura Ellis ·
Ryan Milligan, a 36-year-old firefighter from Seven Hills, is being laid to rest on Monday morning after losing his life in the line of duty one week prior. The funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Grace Church on Pearl Road in Middleburg Heights. A public procession will precede the service, beginning at 9 a.m. from Busch Funeral and Crematory Services at 7501 Ridge Road in Parma.
Milligan died on Nov. 2 while battling a house fire in the 2100 block of West Royalton Road in Broadview Heights. The incident claimed his life and left another firefighter, Andrew Protsman, 38, of Parma, with serious injuries. Protsman remains hospitalized as of Monday. Milligan leaves behind a wife and two young children.
The route for the morning procession travels south on Ridge Road to Route 82 in North Royalton. It then turns west onto Route 82, passing the North Royalton fire station before continuing to York Road. From York Road, the route turns north past the second North Royalton fire station, then west onto Sprague Road. The group finally turns right onto Pearl Road to reach Grace Church. Residents are invited to line the streets to show support for the family and the fire service community.
Following the service at Grace Church, the procession will head to Holy Cross Cemetery. It will turn right onto Pearl Road toward West 130th Street, then north to Brookpark Road, and finally west to the cemetery.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered the United States flag and the State of Ohio flag to fly at half-staff until sunset on the day of the funeral. This directive recognizes Milligan's service and the circumstances of his death.
The State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigations Bureau is leading the inquiry into the cause of the blaze. The bureau is conducting the investigation in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. As of Monday, the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Firefighters from North Royalton and Broadview Heights responded to the scene of the deadly fire. Units from Seven Hills and Brecksville also assisted at the location. The 19 News outlet is streaming the funeral and procession live for those unable to attend in person.
