(St. Louis) KTRS

A first responder has lost his life as a result of injuries he sustained battling a fire suspected of being started by fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in the St. Louis city limits.

Captain John Kemper was one of four firefighters who were injured while putting out a blaze in the 3600 block of Pennsylvania in the early hours of July 5th. He died from his injuries on Wednesday.

Kemper worked for the St. Louis Fire Department since 1993 and had been captain since 2008.

Firefighters responded to more than 300 calls over the 4th of July which included 13 building fires.

Funeral arrangements for Captain Kemper are expected to be announced soon.

(photo courtesy of media partner KTVI)