It was a little after 9 pm. I remember the time because I had run into an old friend before my work out and ended up staying at the gym a lot later than I had hoped. I had loads of laundry and some department work to catch up on and was lamenting the fact that I was in for a late night. How naive and insulated I was.
As I was driving past CVS, three fire engines raced past me. I could hear different sirens coming from all directions. This was noteworthy because just the other day, my father and I were talking about our inability to tell which direction sirens are coming from when on the road. It is usually my practice to pull over as far as possible whenever I hear even the faintest siren approaching (among my biggest pet peeves are people who are seemingly oblivious to sirens when driving). In this case, I was near the Hess station a block away from where the street was closed. I pulled in to get out of the way. I could see more emergency vehicles: fire, police, EMT’s, whizzing in from all directions.
I left Hess and took a right down Belgrade Ave., past Lords & Ladies, the Roche Bros. entrance, and took a left by the Howard Chevrolet before approaching the Holy Name Rotary and the Area E-5 Police Station. It was here that I saw huge plumes of smoke coming from Tai Ho. Between the sirens, flashing lights, and calm yet forceful shouts, the atmosphere was surreal. To dust off an old cliche, it was as though I was watching a movie.
I wanted to get out and help, but am fully aware that in cases like this, civilians often cause more harm then good. I went home and watched for the news. Later, after hearing about the utter devastation, I felt sick to my stomach.
2 firefighters die, 12 hurt in West Roxbury blaze
Source: Boston.com
“Two Boston firefighters were killed and at least 12 others were injured Wednesday night as flames rushed through a restaurant in West Roxbury, collapsing the roof and trapping crews inside, public safety officials said.
The two veteran firefighters who died, Paul J. Cahill, 55, of Scituate and Warren J. Payne, 53, of Canton, were identified by the officials and a firefighter on the scene. They were the first deaths of firefighters in a fire since 1994.
Cahill and Payne both were assigned to the West Roxbury fire house on Centre Street, headquarters of Engine 30, Ladder 25. At a press conference early today at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, officials said Payne was the father of two. They said Cahill was the married father of two. Both had 25 years in the department.
Nine firefighters were treated at local hospitals and have been released, Scott Salman, a fire department spokesman, said late this morning. Six of the firefighters had been under
observation as a precaution.”
As someone who counts several firefighters as close friends and one as a dear cousin, I cannot even begin to imagine the intense grief that the families of Firefighters Cahill and Payne must be feeling right now. These two men, these two heroes had long and distinguished careers spanning almost my entire lifetime. They were felled by simply doing their job in trying to help others. They gave the ultimate sacrifice in trying to contain a raging inferno. Brave and noble do not simply describe how these men lived, they were much more than that. They epitomized what it means to be Boston’s Brightest. And they will never be forgotten.
Paul Cahill and Warren Payne died in preventing others from suffering similar fates. They are the definition of courage. This shining city on a hill will gleam even stronger because of them.