Updated: Two Days After Fall, PA Firefighter Succumbs to Injury

Sept. 22--A North Belle Vernon firefighter responding to a call for assistance on Monday fell at his Washington Township home and died from his injuries this week.

Charles E. Horan, 61, a safety officer, died early Wednesday morning, according to a post on the fire department's Twitter site. A department official could not be reached Thursday.

Amie Downs, Allegheny County spokeswoman, said the cause of death was blunt-force trauma from a fall. It was ruled accidental.

The U.S. Fire Administration site states that Horan was preparing to leave home to assist law enforcement in accessing the roof of a building.

Fellow first responders treated Horan and transported him for further medical treatment, according to the post.

Horan died at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Allegheny County, an obituary listing with the Parzynski Funeral Home & Cremations in Belle Vernon states.

In addition to the North Belle Vernon Fire Department, Horan was a life member of the Washington Township department, the State Fireman's Association and the Western Pennsylvania Fireman's Association, according to the funeral home.

He was a retired equipment operator for PennDOT.

Family and friends will gather at 10 a.m. Saturday for funeral services at the department social hall, 545 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon.

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