The family of the late Gallitzin Fire Chief Christopher Cox faces another tragedy. This comes after a structure fire Saturday evening – displacing the family for the time being — just before the holiday season. We spoke to the current Gallitzin Fire Chief – Jim Nagle — Monday and he says this is a very overwhelming time for the family.
Multiple Fire Crews arrived at the scene of a structure fire on the 400 Block of Church Street in Gallitzin Saturday evening. The structure on fire was the home of former Gallitzin Fire Chief – Christopher Cox, who died of kidney cancer related to Fire Service in August. Nagle says there was a lot of heat, fire, smoke and water damage on the first floor and there was mainly water and smoke damage on the second floor and attic of the home. Five animals were pulled from the scene, but he says two did not survive.
Nagle says they received great support from neighboring Fire Departments. Fire Chief Nagle saying: “We had Firefighters calling me, you know, letting us know we got a full crew in our Station if needed, we can come up. So, there was an outpouring, an outpouring of help.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
