News

Owego Firefighter Dies

Updated Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Written By: Tanja Rekhi

OWEGO-- [WENY] A Southern Tier firefighter dies in of duty while fighting a blaze overnight, and another firefighter was severely injured.

The investigation into the fire on Chamberlain Road is ongoing.

Meantime, the Owego Fire Department is mourning the loss of their Captain, and hoping for the recovery of a Lieutenant who was also injured in the fall.

Owego fire officials and people I talked to that knew Captain Porcari say he lost his life doing what he loved doing everyday.

"I'm gonna miss him a lot he was really a good, good friend of mine, said Sam Harris owner of Harris Diner next to the Owego Fire Department.

He says he's known Captain Matthew Porcari since he was a little boy - Sam says Porcari liked his eggs well done and his bacon a little wiggly.

"He was a friendly kid that liked to help people and anything he could do for you he'd do it and uh basically just a good person," said Harris.

"He also was very dedicated to the fire service. Recently in the West Webster tragedy, he led the Owego Fire Department efforts to get organized and go to assist with the fallen firefighter there," said Bob Williams, Deputy Chief.

Captain Porcari followed in the footsteps of his father, also a firefighter.

He joined the force 1995.

His fellow firefighter, Lieutenant Daniel Gavin also was injured very badly when the two fell through the collapsing floor.

Gavin was treated and released from Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse.

"When the floor partially collapsed, Gavin partially fell into the floor also and then he extracaded himself. Then he attempted to assist in the rescue effort and I believe that's where he sustained some of the injuries," said Cliff Alexander, Public Information Officer.

Captain Porcari leaves behind a wife and two children, an 11 year-old girl and a 9 year-old boy.

The Owego Fire department will hold a candlelight vigil tonight at 8 pm at the fireman's fountain, just behind the tioga county court house.