Firefighter Collapses, Dies Battling Blaze

Authorities in northeastern Pennsylvania say a firefighter who collapsed while fighting a house fire died of a heart attack.

Officials said 58-year-old Russell Gow III was operating the controls of a tanker truck at an overnight fire in Wyoming County near the Factoryville Fire Station when he was stricken Wednesday night. He was later pronounced dead at Geisinger Community Medical Center.

The Lackawanna County coroner's office said an autopsy Thursday concluded that Gow died of a heart attack.

Officials said Gow's death came after 43 years of service. He was assistant fire chief and was supposed to take over as chief at the beginning of next year.

Last summer, an off-duty Factoryville volunteer firefighter was electrocuted while trying to help a driver who had crashed into a utility pole.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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