September 24, 2016

Reports: Two firefighters killed in Delaware blaze

By PhillyVoice Staff

Two firefighters died and four others were injured in a Wilmington house fire Saturday morning.

The blaze broke out around 3 a.m. on the 1900 block of Lakeview Road, according to 6ABC. When firefighters entered the home, a floor collapsed. Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes, 51, and Lt. Christopher Leach, 41, died during the battle, officials released at a press conference on Saturday.

Two firefighters were rescued but one never made it out of the house and another later died after being taken to the hospital, according to the news station.

Senior Ffr Jerry Fickes & Lt Christopher Leach. 9/24/2016 LODD's. #RIP my brothers! pic.twitter.com/6G7ueaGfk7
— Anthony S. Goode (@AnthonySGoode) September 24, 2016

Tragedy in Wilmington. Two firefighters killed in house fire on Lakeview Street pic.twitter.com/WMYGYAruct
— Mike Dougherty (@MicDougherty) September 24, 2016

One of the firefighters was injured and is in critical condition.

The Delaware State Fire School said the Wilmington Fire Department will share more information when it is appropriate.

The school asked for people to keep the families of the deceased in their thoughts.

The Salesianum School, a Roman Catholic independent school for boys where Leach graduated from in 1994, held a prayer service for him and Fickes Saturday. Delaware Governor Jack Markell also announced Saturday that flags in the state are to be lowered at half-staff in honor of the fallen firefighters until further notice.

Several fire departments and law enforcement agencies expressed their condolences over the deaths.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wilmington DE Fire Department as they mourn the loss of 2 FF killed at a fire overnight.
— Toledo Fire Rescue (@ToledoFire) September 24, 2016