Update (July 6)

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that a 13-year-old girl has been charged with homicide in connection with the death of Firefighter Paul McGrath, who suffered a fatal heart attack in June battling a suspected arson fire. A 17-year-old boy awaits a hearing on similar charges.

Firehouse.Com News (June 21)

A veteran Pittsburgh firefighter suffered a fatal heart attack after battling an early morning three-alarm arson fire Thursday at the now-vacant hospital where he was born. Despite efforts to revive him, he died a short time later. His death has been ruled a homicide and a 17-year-old from the same community has been charged with arson and murder.

After working to bring a three-alarm arson fire under control in vacant St. John's Hospital, Paul McGrath, 50, complained of feeling light-headed. As he was being tended to by paramedics, he suffered a seizure. The 19-year veteran, who had no history of health problems, came out of it. Despite his arguments, medics continued to administer aid, and he once again began seizing, this time going into respiratory arrest.

He was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Since he was an organ donor, his autopsy was delayed until Friday. The autopsy revealed that McGrath had hardening of the arteries and suffered a heart attack as a direct result of the strain of battling the blaze.

RULED A HOMICIDE
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Jason Allen Best, 17, already charged in setting the blaze McGrath was battling, has been charged with criminal homicide. The PG reported that Best lived just around the corner from the house where McGrath grew up -- and his mother still lives.

McGrath was born in St. John's Hospital, where the fire occurred, and lived in the area of his entire life.

Acting on information from community members late Thursday night, police arrested the 17-year-old in connection with the blaze and immediately charged him with arson. A preliminary hearing on both charges will be held in early July.

The 19-year veteran is survived by his wife and three children.

McGrath's company, Company 34, was the first due ladder company, initial reports indicated.

MEMORIAL & FUNERAL INFORMATION
A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, June 20 at 8 pm at O'Brien's Funeral Home on California Avenue in Pittsburgh.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, June 22, at Noon at the Risen-Lord Parish - St. Francis Xavier Church, also on California Ave.

McGrath was the first Pittsburgh firefighter to die in the line of duty since a 1995 blaze in which three firefighters died after being trapped following a stairwell collapse, the PG reported.

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