New Kensington Fire Department renamed to honor firefighter who died in line of duty

Thursday marked 30 years since the New Kensington Fire Department lost one of its own in the line of duty.

A memorial service was held on Thursday to remember Eric Lee Mangieri, and the fire station was dedicated in his honor. It was a touching tribute to a life taken too soon, a man who was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

"His brief moment here, he made a hell of an impact," New Kensington Fire Department Chief Ed Saliba said.

On August 7, 1995, firefighter Eric Lee Mangieri of New Kensington Fire Department Company 4 died while looking for people who might've been trapped inside a burning house on Freeport Road.

"Within about 45 minutes, things turned to hell real fast, and Eric was trapped and killed, unfortunately. It was our darkest day," Chief Saliba said. "That day, a pa