Wallington, NJ Fire Captain Gregory Barnas Dies After Fall From Roof at Restaurant Fire

Click here if the video doesn’t load above

ABC7:

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.

The firefighter has been identified as captain Gregory Barness, who was a fireman since 1972. Barness started out as a junior firefighter when he was just a teenager.

NBC4:

Image from Facebook

Image from Facebook

“I can’t even think of the words to express our sorrow,” Tomko said. “Our department is deeply hurt.”

Barnas was a 29-year veteran with the Jersey City Fire Department, where he rose to the rank of captain.

He was a volunteer firefighter with the Wallington Fire Department since 1972, and was the department’s chief in 1997, Tomko said. Both his sons are also firefighters.

NorthJersey.com:

Wallington Fire Commissioner Mark Tomko says both of Barnas’ sons, Kevin and John, are also firefighters. Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli tells The Associated Press that both sons were on the scene at Akaska Japanese restaurant.

Barnas is survived by his wife Patricia and his two sons.

Greg was an instructor with TaskForce1. Image from http://www.taskforce1.net/instructors3.html

Greg was an instructor with TaskForce1. Image from http://www.taskforce1.net/instructors3.html