A “heroic” Worcester fire Lt. Jason Menard died trying to save two of his fellow firefighters after rushing into a burning three-family home to help search for a baby first believed to be trapped on an upper floor.
Three other firefighters were injured in Wednesday morning’s four-alarm fire along with a resident of the building. It’s the latest fire tragedy for the city that marks the 20th anniversary next month of the Cold Storage warehouse blaze that killed six firefighters.
“Lt. Menard’s heroic actions saved the life of one of his crew members,” Worcester Fire Chief Chief Michael Lavoie said.
Lavoie said Menard, 39, “heroically and selflessly saved his crew, helping a probationary firefighter to the stairs and then returning to rescue another trapped firefighter, assisting him out the window” at 6 Stockholm St. around 1 a.m. Wednesday.
As first responders arrived, the second and third floors were totally engulfed in flames with reports that residents — including a baby — were possibly still trapped inside. All the residents, including a woman with a baby, escaped.
Firefighters did what they could to save Menard — battling the flames and extreme weather conditions in a “courageous and valiant” effort, Lavoie said.
Two of the injured firefighters were released from the hospital and the third is in serious but stable condition, officials said. A woman who lives in the home also suffered serious injuries.
Michael Papgni, president of firefighter Local 1009, said Menard had a “true passion” for his job. Menard leaves behind his wife, Tina, and three children, whose ages were not released. The family had planned to leave on vacation to Disney World that day.
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Lt. Jason Menard was a member of WFD since 2010. [Courtesy Photo / Worcester Fire Department]
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Fire personnel stand in line across from the McKeon Road fire station and Lt. Jason Menard's turnout gear November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Black bunting hangs from Ladder 5, framing Lt. Jason Menard's turnout gear in front of the McKeon Road fire station November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Family and friends console each other after the hearse carrying Lt. Jason Menard passes by the McKeon Road fire station November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Worcester resident Chrissa Daniels makes the sign of the cross after placing flowers in front of the McKeon Road fire station. She remarked that "It's too much" referring to the line of duty deaths of Worcester firefighters. November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Fire personnel stand at attention as the hearse carrying Lt. Jason Menard passes by the McKeon Road fire station and his turnout gear November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Fire personnel walk to the McKeon Road fire station to assemble before the hearse carrying Lt. Jason Menard passes by November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Family and friends pay their respects as the hearse carrying Lt. Jason Menard passes by the McKeon Road fire station November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Fire personnel return to the McKeon Road fire station after the hearse carrying Lt. Jason Menard passed by November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Fire Chief Michael Lavoie is hugged by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito at the scene of a fatal fire on Stockholm Street November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Fire personnel survey the scene of a fatal fire on Stockholm Street November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Fire personnel walk from the McKeon Road fire station to assemble before the hearse carrying Lt. Jason Menard passes by November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: City Manager Ed Augustus and Chief Michael Lavoie meet with family and friends of Lt. Jason Menard in front of the McKeon Road fire station November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Firefighters hang black bunting on the McKeon Road fire station November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Firefighters hang black bunting on the McKeon Road fire station November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Worcester resident Chrissa Daniels places flowers in front of the McKeon Road fire station. She remarked that "It's too much" referring to the line of duty deaths of Worcester firefighters. November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
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WORCESTER, MA - NOVEMBER 13: Firefighters walk by the black bunting on the McKeon Road fire station November 13, 2019 in WORCESTER, Massachusetts. (Staff Photo By Chris Christo/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)
“As they had planned this morning to be on a trip to Disney, they are now instead planning a hero’s sendoff,” said Papgni.
Firefighters at the McKeon Road fire station hung black bunting outside just before 2 p.m. Wednesday as firefighters lined up for the procession that filed past Menard’s post.
Family and friends stood outside, some crying and hugging each other, as the white hearse carrying Menard’s body passed on the way to the state Medical Examiner’s Office on Albany Street in Boston.
“On behalf of the entire City of Worcester, I wish to offer condolences to the Menard family, Chief Lavoie and the entire Worcester Fire Department,” said City Manager Edward Augustus.
Mayor Joseph Petty added, “This is a tragic day for the Worcester Fire Department and the city of Worcester. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lt. Menard’s family.”
Gov. Charlie Baker said Menard “epitomized the devotion, camaraderie and bravery that make up the fabric of the Worcester Fire Department.
“First responders wake up every morning, answer every call, never knowing what surprise may be in store for them and knowing full well that they might be putting their lives on the line for the sake of others and it’s because of brave men and women like Lt. Menard and his team that we all rest easy at night,” Baker added.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Menard is the third firefighter killed in the line of duty since the Cold Storage tragedy.
Mary Markos and Erin Tiernan contributed to this report.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2Qnvjqa
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