Boot With Special Meaning Returned To Boston Firehouse

BOSTON (CBS) - A Boston firefighter boot with special meaning was finally recovered and returned to its home at a Boylston Street firehouse after it was stolen more than six months ago.

The boot, which was used to collect charitable donations for muscular dystrophy, was found when firefighters responded to a fire in the Prudential Tunnel on Thanksgiving Day. The metal box it was mounted on was also found.

Engine Company 33, Ladder 15 was forced to replace the boot in May when it was suddenly stolen.

"They couldn't believe it when they saw it. They were kind of dumbfounded I would say," Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn said.

The boot holds significance for the firehouse. In addition to Muscular Dystrophy research, it was used to raise money in honor of Lieutenant Ed Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy who died fighting a blaze on Beacon Street in 2014. The metal box it was mounted was made from the bumper of ladder 2, the fire engine Kennedy worked on.

Commissioner Finn said the boot was found in area frequented by the homeless.

"Those poor folks need something too," he said, "if they went in and asked the firefighters for some money they probably would have gave it to them."