Vigil honors firefighters 15 years after their deaths

BUFFALO, NY – Early Saturday morning, firefighters, friends and family gathered to remember the lives of Charles “Chip” McCarthy and Jonathan Croom, two Buffalo firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2009.

Fifteen years ago on August 24, at 3:51 a.m., a fire broke out in the basement of a store on Genesee Street.

Lieutenant McCarthy of Rescue Co. 1 entered the burning store one last time to make sure everyone was safe.

However, the condition of the building continued to deteriorate rapidly and he fell through the floor into the basement.

He called for help and Firefighter Croom of Ladder Co. 7 went in to rescue him. Croom also fell into the basement as he entered the store.

Although firefighters attempted to rescue their colleagues, it proved too dangerous until the fire was completely extinguished.

At around 9:15 a.m. the bodies were found and removed from the ashes.

Lieutenant McCarthy was 45 years old and had been with the Buffalo Fire Department for 22 years. Firefighter Croom was 34 years old and had been with the fire department for 10 years.

The two men were awarded the BFD Memorial Award Gold Medal at the Buffalo Fire Department Beneficiary Association Awards Ceremony one year after their deaths.

Croom's mother, Angie Heusinger, spoke at the vigil.

“Being here and remembering is also partly a form of preventive medicine,” said Heusinger.

Commissioner Ronaldo said: “Jonathan and Chip definitely had those qualities… commitment, courage, selfless effort, they brought all that to the job.”

In their honor, the flags at their old fire stations will fly at half-mast on Saturday.

All information in this article comes from the Buffalo Fire Department.