Gregory Barnas dies after fall from roof during restaurant fire in Wallington, NJ
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A veteran firefighter has died at the scene of an early morning fire at a restaurant in Bergen County.
Flames broke out just after 1:00 Friday at Akasaka restaurant on Paterson Avenue.
Fire officials identified the firefighter as 57-year-old Gregory Barnas.
The veteran firefighter served as the chief of the department in 1997. He also served on the Jersey City Fire Department for nearly 30 years, where he rose to the rank of captain.
Barnas’ two sons are also firefighters.
Gregory Barnas, 57, was cutting a hole in the roof of a restaurant on Paterson Avenue in Wallington when he fell, according to Wallington Fire Commissioner Mark Tomko. It’s not clear if he died at the scene or was taken to a hospital.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm3FMDcbNO8
“I can’t even think of the words to express our sorrow,” Tomko said. “Our department is deeply hurt.”
The fire broke out after midnight on Friday and at a point went to two alarms. Other details are unavailable, but Tomko said the blaze is under investigation.
