There are few things potentially more frightening and dangerous than fire out of control, threatening lives and property.
That’s why we in our cities provide for professional firefighters to be highly trained, and on duty 24 hours a day, ready and able to fight fires.
It is tragic when fire takes the lives of some of our firefighters.
We are saddened by the news that two firefighters died in Philadelphia on Monday as they fought flames that destroyed an abandoned warehouse.
Those who died were Lt. Robert Neary, 60, and Daniel Sweeney, 25. It took two hours for their fellow firefighters to recover their bodies from the smoldering debris.
Two other firefighters fortunately were rescued, but had to be taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The two deaths occurred when a store wall and roof collapsed on the men.
What courage our firefighters display when they willingly go into great danger to protect us and our property from the ravages of fire.