Our condolences to the Wissel family and the Heidelberg Volunteer Fire Department of Pennsylvania. Fire Chief Henry Wissel, 55, a veteran of the Heidelburg Volunteer Fire Department died Saturday December 7, 2002. Henry suffered an apparent heart attack at an eight alarm structure fire at L. Thomas Towing, a half-block long building in Heidelberg, a southwest suburb of Pittsburgh. He was pulling equipment from an apparatus when he collapsed. He was transported by Scott Township EMS to Saint Clair Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

     The fire was upgraded to a third alarm immediately and those units responding received the message of a firefighter down in the street. The fire was eventually upgraded to an eight alarm fire and spread to a neighboring auto repair shop and home and took four and a half hours to be placed under control. The primary building of the fire contained 10 tow trucks.

     Henry had worked for Reichold Chemical. He had just been promoted to Fire Chief in the last few weeks. His brother Mike, who had also been chief of the Heidelburg Volunteer Fire Department, and his brother Jimmy, both responded to the blaze.

     A viewing will be held for Henry on Sunday through Tuesday December 8-10, 2002 2-4PM and 7-9PM at Leo J. Henney Funeral Home in Carnegie. A funeral for Henry will be held on Wednesday December 11, 2002 10AM at Leo J. Henney Funeral Home.

     Our brother Henry leaves behind his wife Maxine and their two sons and two daughters. A memorial fund has been established and donations can be sent to: