3 Firefighters Died In Baltimore Row House Fire, Mayor Says

Baltimore MD

24 January, 2022

11:07 AM

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BALTIMORE, MD — Three firefighters died battling a fire in a vacant row house in southwest Baltimore on Monday morning, officials said. The building collapsed during the firefight, trapping four first responders inside, according to authorities. Three died, and one remains hospitalized, officials said Monday evening. Crews were called to the two-alarm fire in the 200 block of South Stricker Street just before 6 a.m., officials said. These firefighters died, according to a joint statement from the mayor and fire chief: Lt. Paul Butrim Firefighter/paramedic Kelsey SadlerEMT/Firefighter Kenneth Lacayo A fourth firefighter is in serious but stable condition — EMT/firefighter John McMaster, officials said. McMaster is on life support in the intensive care unit, according to Dr. Thomas Scalea, physician in chief at the R Adams Cowley University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Fire officials said he was rescued immediately from the blaze and hospitalized. He has "injuries that sometimes get worse before they get better," Scalea said Monday night. "Fingers crossed that he is going to make it and be just fine." Between 7:45 and 8:30 a.m., Scalea said, three firefighters were brought to the shock trauma center, including McMaster. Lacayo and Sadler suffered cardiac arrest at the scene, according to the doctor. The shock trauma staff gave them "everything we have, but we were unable to resuscitate them," Scalea said. Butrim was pronounced deceased at the scene of the fire. Baltimore City Fire Chief Niles R. Ford confirmed the deaths at a news conference after 5 p.m. "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 Department," Ford said. "Every day our firefighters, our first responders put their lives on the line for the sake of others." People embrace after a deceased firefighter was pulled from a collapsed building and put into an ambulance. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Mayor Brandon Scott called the event a "gut-wrenching tragedy" and said those who were lost died as "heroes." He encouraged thankfulness for those who risk their lives for the public. "Today, Baltimore has lost three of the bravest among us," Scott said at a news conference Monday night about the deadly fire. "All made the ultimate sacrifice." He expressed condolences "for our city, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and most importantly the families of our firefighters." Said Scott: "I ask that all of Baltimore keep them in our prayers during this extremely difficult time." The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is assisting with the investigation into the fire. The last time a firefighter in Baltimore died in the line of duty was in 2014. This is breaking news and will be updated.