Vigil honors fallen Buffalo firefighters 15 years after their tragic deaths

BUFFALO NY (WKBW) — The Buffalo Fire Department remembered the loss of two of its members on Saturday. Saturday marks the 15th anniversary of the line of duty deaths of firefighters Jonathan Croom and Lt. Charles “Chip” McCarthy.

At around 4 a.m. Saturday morning, the department transmitted this call over all firefighters' radios:
Attention all companies, this morning marks the 15th anniversary of the loss of Firefighter Johnathan Croom, Ladder 7, and Lt. Charles “Chip” McCarthy, Rescue 1, on August 24, 2009. Although our hearts always hurt, we can endure, we can carry on, and we can do that by remembering them. By sharing what we know about John and Chip, their memories will remain alive for all: families, friends, and those who come after us…Please observe a moment of silence.

WKBW

On August 24, 2009, Croom and Lt. McCarthy were among the firefighters who responded to a fire at a deli on Genessee Street. At one point, it was believed a person was trapped in the basement, so Lt. McCarthy went back into the building. The floor partially collapsed and Lt. McCarthy fell through. Croom went to search for McCarthy. Crews lost contact with both men.

“It is one of the greatest things you can do for us as a family to be here and help us think about my son. [Jonathan Croom] and Chip McCarthy, who both died here at this location,” said Croom's mother, Angie Huesinger.

WKBW

Huesinger attended the early morning vigil and told reporters that she had only recently found the strength to review the hundreds of messages written by parishioners in the immediate aftermath of her son's death.

“I had the opportunity to look back in 2009 and read the 329 entries that were there then, because of course I couldn't,” Huesinger said. “One of the overwhelming messages I found was that the people who had known my son, those of you who had met him, those of you who had worked with him, his friends, his family. They were definitely touched, their lives were touched by someone who brought great joy, had a great sense of humor and lived a full life.”

7 News anchor Jeff Russo spoke with her Friday about how to keep her son's memory alive.

15 years since the tragic fire that killed Buffalo firefighters Jonathan Croom and Charles McCarthy