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Initial Report on Tragic Buffalo Fire, Collapse Released
MARK PARROTTE
WIVB
Reprinted with Permission
BUFFALO, N.Y. - It paints a haunting picture of the tragic morning when two of Buffalo's bravest lost their lives in the line of duty.
Commissioner Garnell W. Whitfield, Jr. released this statement:
As Commissioner of the Buffalo Fire Department, I was deeply troubled by the public release of a preliminary, internal Department review of the tragic fire at 1815 Genesee Street on August 24, 2009 that claimed the lives of two of our heroic Buffalo firefighters, Lieutenant Charles McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom.
Because this is a preliminary report, the facts contained within it have not yet been officially verified; therefore, releasing such information to the Buffalo News or any other media outlet is irresponsible in that it risks the integrity of the investigation.
Beyond that obvious fact, publicizing this unfinished document demonstrates a callous disregard for the families and loved ones of the fallen firefighters, which is reprehensible.
Once all related facts have been verified, the final report will be shared with the families of Lieutenant McCarthy and Firefighter Croom and only then made public.
Copyright WIVB.com
WIVB
Reprinted with Permission
BUFFALO, N.Y. - It paints a haunting picture of the tragic morning when two of Buffalo's bravest lost their lives in the line of duty.
Read the Report
Related
The Buffalo Fire Department released its preliminary report on the Genesee Street deli fire that killed Lieutenant Charles McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom last summer. While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, the report contains chilling revelations, including firefighters believed only one of their comrades was missing at first.Related
Commissioner Garnell W. Whitfield, Jr. released this statement:
As Commissioner of the Buffalo Fire Department, I was deeply troubled by the public release of a preliminary, internal Department review of the tragic fire at 1815 Genesee Street on August 24, 2009 that claimed the lives of two of our heroic Buffalo firefighters, Lieutenant Charles McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom.
Because this is a preliminary report, the facts contained within it have not yet been officially verified; therefore, releasing such information to the Buffalo News or any other media outlet is irresponsible in that it risks the integrity of the investigation.
Beyond that obvious fact, publicizing this unfinished document demonstrates a callous disregard for the families and loved ones of the fallen firefighters, which is reprehensible.
Once all related facts have been verified, the final report will be shared with the families of Lieutenant McCarthy and Firefighter Croom and only then made public.
Copyright WIVB.com
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rob Young on
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Even if this is not the official final report, take time to read it. The information and actions taken are very informative and there are areas where any department should take a look at their own operations to determine what parts of this event could apply to their department. Look at the situations from the standpoint of how your department operates and to possibly fix some problems before they happen. We have a hard/dangerous job whether we are paid or volunteer, let's use these incidents to learn from without criticism of those involved.
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Permalink Reply by Roy Walker on
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Well put Rob. Our hearts still go out for our fallen brothers
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Permalink Reply by larry jenkins on
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It's a very sad ending and your right it could happen antwhere. This past month I had a floor collapse over my crew without warning. The floor above was overloaded which is why ours collapsed. We had just exited seconds prior to the collapse. There was another crew directly in front of us. We were both knocking down fire so search crews could look for 2 trapped occupants. When the collapse occured I thought the other engine as dead and they thought the same about us. After the collapse all I could see was their hoseline under the rubble, it was the worst feeling looking at that. We got chainsaws and cut them out within 5 minutes. We were all lucky that day,I have 36 years on the job and will retire in three months. I don't ever go thru that again.
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Permalink Reply by Joseph M. Piwtorak on
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Here is the report if anyone is interested in reading it.
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