A year after Wilmington’s deadliest fire, residents and city officials gathered Monday to pay tribute to three fallen firefighters.
Commemorative plaques and artwork were unveiled in honor of Capt. Chris Leach, Lt. Jerry Fickes and Lt. Ardythe Hope, who all lost their lives during a blazing fire in Canby Park last September.
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki addressed a crowd gathered outside Fire Station 4 Monday, including family members of those lost.
“In no way can these plaques erase the pain or fill the sense of loss for what happened a year ago," Purzycki said. "Nor do we try to make our heroes greater in death than they were in life. What we memorialize today is their bravery, their courage, their adherence to duty and their sense of honor.”
Three Wilmington fire stations – 4, 5 and 6 – will each be renamed to honor each of the city’s fallen firefighters. President of the city’s local firefighters union Kevin Turner says that’s special.
“With these station dedication, they will be with us in spirit every day," Turner said. "They will be with us at every event, watching over us. We will honor them daily, getting on those trucks and doing the job. We will never forget them.”
Wilmington City Councilman Bob Williams introduced a resolution last year allowing the stations to be renamed. September 24th was also declared Annual Day of Remembrance for Wilmington’s Fallen Firefighters.
