Our condolences to the Downing, Fahey, Ford, and the New York Fire Department families. Eight children lost their father on fathers day, and three wives lost their husbands in a tragedy that could have been prevented by sprinklers. The building fire they were fighting was in a hardware store that did not have to have sprinklers in the basement because of its age. This proved fatal for three of our brothers, and one is listed in critical condition.

     FireFighter Harry Ford, 50, a 27 year veteran assigned to Rescue 4 in Queens, and FireFighter John Downing, 40, an 11 year veteran assigned to Ladder 163 in Queens were killed in front of the building when the facade collapsed on them. They were both performing ventilation when the blast occured. They were pulled from the rubble and sent to Elmhurst Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

     FireFighter Brian Fahey, 46, a 14 year veteran also assigned to Rescue 4 in Queens was on the first floor when the blast occured, trapping him in the basement beneath rubble. Brian was in radio contact for a short period before his radio went silent. It took his brothers four hours to remove him from the rubble.

     For more news, information, and photos, please visit the NYFD Fathers Day Tragedy Memorial in the Fallen Brother Section.