Firefighters throughout the northwestern part of the state, including ones from Mercer County, are rallying around a Venango County department that has been torn by tragedy.

One Rocky Grove volunteer firefighter was killed and another badly burned battling a mobile home fire Thursday.

The dead firefighter was identified as 27-year-old Andrew White, a 14-year veteran who came from a family of Rocky Grove firefighters.

Departments from six counties have begun taking turns manning Rocky Grove’s small Station Two since the blaze, said Jim Thompson, director of the Mercer County Emergency Management Agency.

In addition to Mercer County, firefighters from Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie and Venango counties are expected to help out at the station, Thompson said. Departments are scheduled to work six-hour shifts at the station through Monday, he added.

"It frees them (Rocky Grove) up to do what they have to do," said Thompson.

Thompson said funeral services for White were tentatively planned for Sunday. Firefighters from across the state are expected to attend, he added.

The Pine Township Engine Co. manned the Rocky Grove station Friday morning, said Thompson, who is chief of the company. Firefighters from Grove City, Greenville, Hermitage, Stoneboro and Hempfield and West Salem townships also were expected to work shifts at the station, he added.

"The response was pretty overwhelming. The guys want to go. They want to help any way they can," Thompson said.