Six Brave Men
A Tribute to the Fallen Firefighters
in Worcester MA
On December 3, 1999 in Worcester, MA a human tragedy of devastating proportions
occurred. City firefighters answered a fire alarm at a large, vacant cold storage warehouse
near the heart of downtown Worcester. Thinking that two homeless people may have been
trapped inside, dozens of firemen entered the huge, nearly windowless building to attempt
a rescue operation.
But after a very brief time, the fire raged out of control and
visibility inside the structure was reduced by billowing clouds of poisonous smoke to only
inches. Sensing the imminent danger to his crews, the officer in charge reluctantly issued
the order for all men to evacuate the building immediately. Six brave men were unable to
find their way to safety through the dense, black smoke and extreme heat and
were trapped inside. Ensuing efforts to locate them were fruitless and they perished.
They died as courageous men - doing their duty to protect persons
and property. But they died nonetheless, and left behind five wives and seventeen
children. They left their families, friends, fellow firemen, and an entire region mourning
their loss.
During the following week, the President of the United States and
our Vice President attended a memorial service along with 30,000 firefighters from
around the nation and the world. Fellow firefighters, EMTs and police officers came in
units and as individuals, marching and on crutches, striding along and rolling in
wheelchairs. But come they did to pay their last respects to their fallen
comrades. And each and every one of those men and women who joined in the procession
knew in his or her heart that they could be next. That the next call they answer could be
their last.
There's nothing that I can write here to express my deep sorrow at the
passing of these six men. I didn't know either them or their families, but there is an
enduring sadness in my heart for their loss.
The Fallen
Paul A. Brotherton
|
Timothy P. Jackson
|
Jeremiah M. Lucey
|
James F. Lyons
|
Joseph T. McGuirk
|
Thomas E. Spencer
|
May God grant them eternal peace
I have included here "A Fireman's Prayer," which is
displayed in the homes and at duty stations of firefighters around the world.
"A Fireman's Prayer"
When I am called to duty, God
Where ever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is to late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
To give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor and
Protect his property.
And if according to my fate
I am to lose my life
Please bless with Your protecting Hand
My children and my wife.
(by James J. Metcalfe)
Book
Description
In the fading industrial city of Worcester, Massachusetts, there are men
whose jobs are to brave danger, endure long shifts, and trust other men with
their lives. Like their counterparts in cities and small towns everywhere, they
are firefighters, and like firefighters everywhere, they take enormous pride in
their brotherhood and their calling. On December 3, 1999, as the men of Central
Street and other Worcester stations lived their daily lives, worked second jobs,
and raised their children, they did not know an inferno unlike anything they had
ever seen was about to put them to the ultimate test.
The fire at Worcester Cold Storage was ignited by two vagrants' Christmas
candle. When the first firefighters arrived on the scene, the building-a
hulking, abandoned, windowless warehouse-was waiting to explode. As men fought
to contain the flames with hoses, they were suddenly surrounded by confusing,
suffocating darkness and searing steam. Worcester Cold Storage-with its mazelike
layout and rooms so insulated that they prevented men from hearing each other's
alarms-was turning into a furious beast, disorienting those inside it, seemingly
determined to kill as many men as it could.
3000 DEGREES stands with the best works of American reportage. Sean Flynn
takes us into the private lives of men heading inexorably into one sudden
shared, overwhelming battle. He captures the agony of working wives and mothers
hearing the news with mounting terror and a community being hurtled toward
unbearable loss. Most of all, he vividly depicts the moments of truth, when
ordinary men know that their brothers are going to die, and that to live with
themselves, to take another single breath, they too must be prepared to lay down
their lives.
Some historical items from local sources regarding the fire and its
aftermath;
December 27, 2000
Over a year has passed since that terrible fire and many
changes have been made within the Worcester Fire Department. Using funds donated
by the public and local businesses the Department has purchased several thermal
imaging devices to use at fire scenes. These devices allow firefighters to see through
the smoke to facilitate rescues and ensure firefighter safety. New departmental
regulations and operating procedures have been established to avoid a repetition
of that horrendous event.
Funds have been set aside for a suitable memorial for these
brave men and other firemen who have perished in the performance of their
duty.
All children of their immediate families have been
granted scholarships by top-rated local colleges.
The homeless couple accused of inadvertently starting the blaze
by knocking over a lit candle in the warehouse have had their manslaughter charges dropped.
Nothing can bring these courageous men back to their families
and friends, but the wounds are beginning to heal. Thanks to all of you who
joined me with your generous contributions to the Firefighters Fund.
December 4, 2001
At 6:13 PM last evening six firefighters, wearing their every
day service gear, stood at attention at the chain link fence surrounding the
disaster site. They represented their six fallen comrades who had perished in
the terrible inferno of 1999.
The sound of single chime broke the silence at the exact moment
when the first alarm had been sounded two years earlier and marked the second
anniversary of the fire at the "building from hell." Hundreds of
fellow emergency workers, police and citizens had solemnly gathered to pay
tribute to their fallen heroes. With heads bowed they joined together to quietly
pray and pay tribute to the six extremely dedicated and courageous men whose
lives had so tragically ended here.
The sacrifice of those six brave men has not been forgotten,
nor will it ever be.
January 2002
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is again considering if
charges can be brought against the homeless pair who started the fire with their
overturned candle. Apparently the prosecutors are attempting to help the
families of the victims with closure.
March 30, 2002
The Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has
overturned the decision by Superior Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman that criminal
charges against the homeless couple didn't meet the requirements for involuntary
manslaughter and should be dropped. The SJC has now ruled that that judicial
standards for charges of involuntary manslaughter have been met, and the local
District Attorney has the green light to proceed with his prosecution. Whether
he can prove his case beyond reasonable doubt seems to be debatable. There is
apparently no clear legal requirement here in Massachusetts to report a fire to
authorities, so it would seem that the DA will rely on public sentiment and pressure
from relatives of the victims to help make his case that their carelessness with
a burning candle -
although the building was empty when they left - directly caused the deaths of
the six firefighters.
In my opinion it's time to let go. The homeless couple have now separated
and both are living more useful lives. What is to be gained from dragging them
back into court and attempting to gain guilty verdicts against them? Will it
bring any firefighters home to their families? Will incarceration aid them in
their honest efforts to straighten out their lives, and will it really bring
closure to the relatives of these brave men? Prosecution of
those two hapless individuals will do nothing constructive for anyone. It's time
to let go and finally admit that nobody wins this one.
May 31, 2002
In another strange twist to this seemingly never-ending story,
Worcester (MA) Superior Court Judge Daniel F. Toomey yesterday agreed to
continue without pleas or findings the involuntary manslaughter cases against
Thomas S. Levesque and Julie Ann King. The charges will be dismissed in five
years provided they comply with the terms of their pre-trial probation, and have
no further problems with the law during that period. Judge Toomey said the
action is quite rare, but "such a result is in the interests of
justice."
Finally the voice of reason has prevailed.
November 29, 2003
The City of Worcester has announced that it intends to purchase the Franklin Street site of the 1999 fire. Present plans are to build a fire station there to replace the old Brown Square firehouse, using funds from the sale of the Central Street firehouse. The Central Street location has been sold to a developer for erection of a downtown hotel.
Earlier plans for a memorial at the Franklin Street fire site have been shelved in favor of a site on Grove Street.
November 30, 2004
Today the Worcester City Council will vote to commence eminent domain
proceedings to acquire about one acre of the Franklin Street property to use for
the construction of a new fire station. The new station will replace the aging
Brown Square Station and will also house the Department's administrative offices
which will be relocated from Grove Street.
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