Mower fire victim was retired firefighter, town fixture
A Burlington County man who was fatally burned Sunday when his lawn mower burst into flames was a retired firefighter who had served in the job for decades, and had tried to share his experience with younger firefighters.
A Burlington County man who was fatally burned Sunday when his lawn mower burst into flames was a retired firefighter who had served in the job for decades, and had tried to share his experience with younger firefighters.
Roger Lippincott, 79, taught classes at Burlington County's fire academy, and occasionally stopped by the Springfield Township Fire Company even after he retired, Springfield Township Mayor Denis McDaniel said.
"Some guys just disappear when they retire; he didn't," McDaniel said. "He was always helpful and happy to communicate with people and share the benefit of his experience."
The accident involving the mower that Lippincott was riding occurred around 2:30 p.m. Sunday on his front lawn at Saylors Pond Road in Jobstown, Springfield Township.
The New Jersey State Police major-crimes unit and arson and bomb squads on Monday were investigating why the mower caught fire. Lippincott was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lippincott's son, Scott, 47, also of Springfield Township, said everyone in town "has a Roger story," whether it be Roger Lippincott assisting them in some way or helping them repair something. Roger Lippincott, in addition to firefighting, ran a repair shop out of his backyard and fixed lawn mowers for a living, his son said.
"He's one of those fixtures in the township that everybody knows," Scott Lippincott said.
He said the lawn mower his father was riding was old, from the '60s or '70s, but that the family did not know what caused it to light on fire.
"We're hoping that maybe the investigation can shed some light," Scott Lippincott said. "We're scratching our heads."
Springfield Township Fire Company Chief Brian Kokotajlo said Roger Lippincott retired from firefighting 20 years ago, but was still an honorary member at the department. That status enabled Lippincott to attend various community events, such as an elementary-school festival in which the department shows off its fire trucks.
Lippincott had also been the emergency management coordinator for at least a decade in Springfield Township, where he grew up. He retired from that position about five years ago, McDaniel said. The mayor said Lippincott had been a firefighter for several dozen years.
As emergency management coordinator, Lippincott reminded the township that it needed to be prepared for a hurricane.
"He used to always tell me, 'Denis, a hurricane is coming, it's just a question of when,' " McDaniel said. "He said that every year, and of course he was right."
After leaving that role, Lippincott still attended the township council meetings every month and frequently shared his opinions.
"He was interested in everything, so whatever the topic might be on a particular agenda, he would often weigh in," McDaniel said.
State police declined to release further details about the accident.
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