Three Baltimore City firefighters were killed and another was critically injured when a vacant rowhome partially collapsed as crews battled a blaze in southwest Baltimore Monday morning.
“Today, Baltimore has lost three of the bravest among us: Lt. Paul Butrim, Firefighter/Paramedic Kelsey Sadler, and EMT/Firefighter Kenny Lacayo,” Mayor Brandon Scott said. “All made the ultimate sacrifice. For that, Baltimore owes them the deepest gratitude and respect.”
“These heroes of the Baltimore City Fire Department were responding to a 2-alarm fire in a vacant home in the 200 block of South Stricker Street at 6:00am when the structure collapsed,” Mayor Scott added. “A fourth EMT/Firefighter, John McMaster, remains at the hospital in critical but stable condition. This is a gut wrenching tragedy for our city, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and most importantly the families of our firefighters. There are no words to describe the pain and the severity of the losses we have suffered today. My heart is with the Firefighters, their families, and the entire Baltimore City Fire Department who put the lives and safety of others before their own wellbeing each and every day. I ask that all of Baltimore keep them in our prayers during this extremely difficult time.”
🔥WORKING DWELLING FIRE🔥
200 blk S Stricker St 21223#NewSouthwestMountClare@docbullock#BMORESBravest arrived with fire showing from all 3 floors of a 3 story row home. Additional units called. pic.twitter.com/0KHrqtM3RJ— Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 (@BCFDL734) January 24, 2022
Since 6am, #BCFD has been on the scene of a 2-alarm fire in a vacant home in the 200blk of S. Sticker St. 1 firefighter was transported to the hospital in serious condition & we are working to rescue 2 additional FFs inside. Media Staging at S. Stricker & W. Pratt St. pic.twitter.com/WR6kJLR3tm
— Baltimore Fire (@BaltimoreFire) January 24, 2022
Firefighters just gathered and did a salute as an ambulance drove away from the scene on S. Stricker St. @wjz pic.twitter.com/Ez7brsrX9u
— Jessica Albert (@JessicaAlbertTV) January 24, 2022
Baltimore City Fire Department Chief Niles Ford said, “Every day our Firefighters, our first responders put their lives on the line for the sake of others. Today, three Firefighters lost their lives in service to our city, and another remains remained in critical condition. From this moment, we will honor those we lost today, for their bravery, their courage, their love for helping others and the respect they had for the Baltimore City Fire Deparment.”
The ATF is on scene assisting in the investigation. The cause of the blaze has not been determined.