Hanover fire chief returns after monthlong Thai detainment

His son lauds ‘a true Christmas miracle’

A Washington County fire chief who was detained in Thailand for about a month returned home on Christmas, his family said.

Hanover Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Morra landed at Pittsburgh International Airport just before 1 a.m. Wednesday.

“A true Christmas miracle to get him home. Thank you to everyone for the prayers, donations, and kind words. My family and my dad greatly appreciated it,” Mr.

Morra’s son Dominic posted on Facebook on Wednesday.

Mr. Morra, a General Electric employee who was working in Thailand, was detained Nov. 23 while on a jetway at Bangkok Airport after a .38-caliber bullet was found in his bags, a GE spokesman said in November. He was released Nov. 28 with the help of a GE attorney and transferred to a hotel, according to the company.

GE declined to elaborate on how the bullet found its way inside the fire chief’s baggage.

The family gained attention after setting up an online fundraiser for legal costs via the

website GoFundMe. They had raised just over $37,000 as of Thursday.

On. Dec. 16, seven state legislators sent a letter to the U.S. embassy in Bangkok requesting a “fair and expeditious trial,” which is scheduled for February, according to the lawmakers.

The Morra family, of Burgettstown, could not be reached for further comment Thursday.

“You donations will be put to good use to assist my father with legal fees, uncovered medical bills, and other resources to get my dad back on his feet after such a traumatic event,” Dominic Morra wrote on the GoFundMe webpage.