Veteran PA Fire Investigator Dies of COVID-19

Jan. 5, 2021
Lewistown fire investigator Mike Force joined the department in 1974 as a firefighter-EMT at the Brooklyn station and was appointed fire investigator in 1991.

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A veteran Pennsylvania fire investigator died of COVID-19 complications, his department announced Monday.

Lewistown fire investigator Mike Force had been hospitalized with the virus since at least Saturday, according to an online update by the department. He was in serious condition and had been placed on a ventilator.

The department announced Force's death in an online post Monday.

"Unbelievable," wrote a commentor on the Lewistown Fire Department's Facebook page. "He was a good friend and I was always happy to see (him). He will be missed."

Force joined the department as a firefighter-EMT in 1974, working in the Brooklyn station, Chief Bob Barlett stated in an online post. He was appointed fire investigator in 1991.

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