WALLINGTON, N.J. — Firefighter Gregory Barnas, 57, died Friday morning after a fall from a roof while working to put out a fire at a restaurant.
WNBC reported that firefighter Barnas was cutting a hole in the roof of the restaurant when he fell.
He was a 29-year veteran at the Jersey City Fire Department and a volunteer at the department in Wallington since 1972 where he was the department’s chief in 1997, according to the report. Both his sons are also firefighters.
“I can’t even think of the words to express our sorrow,” Wallington Fire Commissioner Mark Tomko said. “Our department is deeply hurt.”
The fire is being investigated, but does not appear to be suspicious.