Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Battalion Chief John Walsh died after experiencing a medical emergency while responding to a house fire in the city’s East Hills neighborhood. The Pittsburgh Firefighters Union confirmed Walsh’s passing late Tuesday. He was 57.
Walsh, who had served the department for nearly 40 years, was on the scene of a fire along Wilkinsburg Avenue just after 9 p.m. when he fell ill, CBS Pittsburgh reports. He was transported to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, where he later died. The fire was under control by the time of his medical emergency.
Emergency vehicles from various departments escorted his body to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office early Thursday morning.
Local fire departments have expressed condolences via social media, offering thoughts and prayers to his family and colleagues. The cause of death has not been officially released, and an investigation is ongoing.