Member of Gallupville Fire Department dies

Member of Gallupville Fire Department passes away

His family tells NewsChannel 13 he had a pre-existing condition.

A member of the Gallupville Fire Department has died.

A fire broke out at Tom Parsons’s trailer home on Debritko Road, early Monday morning, according to investigators.

Tom’s daughter Jill said that her dad, Tom, had a preexisting condition and was rushed to the hospital during overhaul at that fire. He then unexpectedly died on Monday night.

Jill said her dad told her he made sure everyone was out of the home before he went back in to try and fight the fire.

The fire chief at the Gallupville Fire Department told NewsChannel 13 that Tom was taken to the hospital for a medical issue unrelated to the fire. He was cleared and released from the hospital, Jill said, but had an unrelated medical condition. The fire made that condition worse, ultimately leading to his death.

The Gallupville Fire Department said they are devastated by the unexpected passing of Tom.

His family said the Vietnam Army veteran was someone who dedicated years of his life to public service.

Tom lived in the trailer home with his wife, Fran.

The fire is being blamed on a furnace malfunction.

EDITORS NOTE: A previous version of this story stated Mr. Parsons died in the fire. Mr. Parsons was transported to the hospital for a separate medical issue, and later died.