The community of local firefighters are mourning Tuesday night the sudden death of County Fire Marshal Phil Gray. Chief Gray died early Tuesday evening at Mercy Hospital in Downtown Bakersfield after a long bout with cancer.
The 44-year-old battalion chief and chaplain had been in the hospital off and on for several months following prostate surgery in September.
Chief Gray was taken to the hospital for a biopsy. Several fire officials have told 23 ABC that Chief Gray was weak, and at one point may have suffered a heart attack.
Many of those who rose through the ranks at the department and served with Gray talked about his commitment, drive and love for his job.
"He loved everything about the fire service and loved serving the public," said Don Brady, Kern County Fire Department Battalion Chief. "And he loved God. We're really going to miss him."
More details will be released on Wednesday, and flags will be flown at half-staff.
Copyright 2005 by TurnTo23.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.
