Father’s Day Fire heroes remembered
A decade ago, three New York City firefighters lost their lives in a blaze in a Queens neighborhood, known as the Father's Day Fire. Our CeFaan Kim was with family members, and the city's bravest, who marked the somber anniversary.
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NEW YORK CITY -- With the sound of Taps filling the air, hundreds gathered at St. Sebastian's Roman Catholic Church for a memorial service, honoring the three city firefighters killed in what's become known as the "Father's Day Fire."
Friends and family members of the fallen firefighters were joined by hundreds of the city's bravest to mark the tenth anniversary of that tragic day.
It was June 17th, 2001, when firefighters Harry Ford, Brian Fahey and John Downing were fighting what they thought was a small fire at a hardware store in Astoria when combustible materials in the basement exploded.
"They were three fathers and to all of sudden to be taken from on us such a day I think was very cruel,” said Denise Ford, husband killed in fire.
Widows say the loss of their husbands brought them closer together and to see so many turn out to remember the sacrifices they made brings comfort to their families.
"The children were so young at that point that for them to see their fathers memorialized now, it's a gift, it's a beautiful gift,” said Mary Fahey, husband killed in fire.
Investigators later said the fire was an accident, and started after some teenagers spilled gasoline, which was ignited by a water heater. Sixty firefighters were also injured in the blaze.
"The department ten years later has not forgotten the sacrifices that those three courageous men made on Father's Day 2001,” said Salvatore Cassano, FDNY Commissioner.
The three firefighters killed left behind eight children in all.