A Sad Day in Buffalo, New York - August 24, 2009
Flags are flying at half-mast throughout the city
Lieutenant Charles McCarthy Rescue 1, and Fire Fighter Jonathan Croom Ladder 7
both died on Monday morning while fighting a local fire.
The fire continued to burn hours after the first alarm was sounded.
Derek Gee / Buffalo News
Buffalo Fire Commissioner Michael S. Lombardo monitors the scene.
He fought back tears during the news conference, saying he knew both men and described them as "tremendous firefighters" who both received honors for their work in the past.
"This is a family, and we lost two members of our family," Lombardo said
Brotherhood of firefighters waiting for news of the firemen who were trapped in the fire.
Derek Gee / Buffalo News
Firefighters salute as they remove the bodies of the fallen firefighters from the building.
(Associated Press)
Lt. Charles 'Chip' McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom of the Buffalo Fire Department were killed after falling through a floor in a burning building.
Lt. Charles McCarthy leaves behind his wife, three children and a 6-month-old grandchild.
He was a long time veteran of the Buffalo Fire Department.
Jonathan Croom, 34, was a ten-year veteran of the Buffalo Fire Department. His fellow crew members at Ladder 7 on Main Street describe Croom as a family man who was always smiling, and some of them say they thought of Croom as their "little brother".
A Fallen Firefighters Prayer
As firefighters we understand,
That death’s card dealt in our hand.
A card we hope we never play,
But one we hold there anyway.
That card is something we ignore,
As we crawl across a weakened floor.
For we know that we’re the only prayer,
For anyone that might be there.
So remember as you wipe your tears,
The joy I knew throughout the years.
As I did the job I loved to do,
I pray that thought will see you through.
*****
On Monday morning two Buffalo firefighters died in a fire that they had responded to.
It was reported that a person was trapped in the basement. When they entered the building to save that person the floor collapsed, they both fell into the basement, became trapped and were not able to get out.
Blessings to all first responders who put their lives on the line for us daily.
My condolences go out to their families, friends, and co-workers.
Also to the entire community which is mourning the loss of these brave men.
"It's a very tragic day for the city of Buffalo," Mayor Byron W. Brown said during a news conference. "Our hearts are broken right now."
AMEN
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