Autopsy Shows Philly Firefighter Died of Heart Disease

Philadelphia firefighter Gabriel Lee, who died during a night shift in North Philadelphia last month, succumbed to heart disease, the Medical Examiner's office said Wednesday.

Lee, 42, a 17-year veteran of the department, died July 23 after being found unresponsive in the basement of Ladder 12 Company firehouse, at 1325 W. Cambria Street.

Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said last month that Lee had been responding to calls earlier in his shift. Frank Keel, spokesman for IAFF Local 22, said firefighters attempted to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful.

Lee was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Hundreds of firefighters and police gathered outside the hospital that night.

An East Germantown resident who was married with three children, Lee was also an accomplished amateur boxer and a respected firefighter, his family and department officials said last month. In 2001, Lee was named a winner of the Local 22 "Distinguished Service Award."

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