BUFFALO, N.Y. — Early Saturday morning, firefighters, friends and family came together to remember the lives of Charles "Chip" McCarthy and Jonathan Croom, Buffalo firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2009.
On August 24, 15 years ago, a fire broke out at 3:51 a.m. in a store's basement on Genesee Street.
Lieutenant McCarthy of Rescue Co. 1 went inside the burning store one last time to confirm everyone was safe.
However, the building was still rapidly deteriorating and he fell through the floor and into the basement.
He called out for help and Firefighter Croom of Ladder Co. 7 went inside to rescue him. Croom also fell into the basement upon entering the store.
Although crews tried to save their fellow firefighters, it was proven to be too dangerous until the fire was completely put out.
At around 9:15 a.m. the bodies were found and removed from the ashes.
Lieutenant McCarthy was 45-years-old and a 22-year veteran of the Buffalo Fire Department. Firefighter Croom was 34-years-old and a 10-year veteran of the department.
The two men were awarded the B.F.D. Memorial Award gold medal at the Buffalo Fire Department Beneficiary Association Awards Ceremony a year after their death.
Croom's mother, Angie Heusinger, spoke at the vigil.
"Being here and memorializing, part of that is kind of preventive medicine, too," Heusinger said.
Commissioner Ronaldo said "Jonathan and Chip definitely had those qualities... commitment, courage, selfless service, they all brought that to the job."
In their honor, flags are flying at half staff at their old fire houses on Saturday.
All information in this article is sourced by the Buffalo Fire Department.