KINGSTON —As Kingston firefighters battled a two-alarm barn fire Monday night, one of their own was in a Boston hospital fighting for his life.

Shortly after firefighters returned to the station and began making plans to visit Lt. Scott McLellan at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, they received the news.

McLellan, 46, lost his 10-month battle with renal cancer.

“Unfortunately he succumbed to something we as EMTs see way too much of. Although we see it every day, we're never used to it,” Deputy Fire Chief Rick Fowler said.

A father of two girls, McLellan joined the fire department in 2001 and worked his way up through the ranks to become a lieutenant. He was also the town's fire inspector.

McLellan went on medical leave in November after he was diagnosed with renal cancer in October and underwent surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

In the months that followed the diagnosis, fellow firefighters and others with the Kingston Volunteer Fire Association organized fundraisers to generate donations to help McLellan with his bills while he was out of work.

McLellan had accumulated sick days over the years, which he used while he was out because the town didn't offer short- or long-term disability insurance for employees. That changed in March when voters passed a warrant article inspired by McLellan's ordeal and other employees who have endured a medical situation and were forced to take a leave without insurance. As of July 1, the town now offers disability insurance.

Fire Chief Bill Seaman said McLellan was active up until the time he went on leave and will be missed.

“Scott was a great guy. He didn't need a whole lot of guidance. He was self-motivated,” Seaman said.

The fire department is now assisting with plans for a funeral that will honor his fire service, but details are still being worked out, Seaman said.

Fowler described McLellan as a “dedicated” and “sincere” firefighter.

“He was a top-notch guy,” he said. “He was dedicated to this career. He was dedicated to helping people. That was his passion. Scotty truly did this to help people.”

At a motorcycle run to benefit him in late June, McLellan appeared weak but attended the event and thanked those who had worked to help him since the diagnosis.

McLellan kept a positive attitude and was determined to beat the cancer.

“It's a long fight,” he told the New Hampshire Union Leader at the benefit. “You get good reports and you get bad reports. You have to keep on fighting.”

- - - - - - - -

Jason Schreiber may be reached at jschreiber@newstote.com.