City Marks 21st Anniversary Of Worcester Cold Storage Fire That Killed 6 Firefighters

WORCESTER (CBS) – Thursday marks the 21^st anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage fire that killed six firefighters.

On Dec. 3, 1999, Lt. Thomas Spencer, Lt. James Lyons, and firefighters Paul Brotherton, Timothy Jackson, Jeremiah Lucey and Joseph McGuirk died while looking for homeless people believed to be inside the vacant warehouse.

Worcester Fire Lt. Thomas Spencer, FF Joseph McGuirk, Lt. Timothy Jackson Sr., FF Jeremiah Lucey, Lt. James Lyons III and FF Paul Brotherton were killed in the 1999 Worcester Cold Storage fire. (Worcester Fire Department Photos)

Firefighters thought two people were inside. They searched, becoming disoriented through the maze-like building, and smoke hindered their visibility.

"Time may pass, but the impact of their sacrifice lives on within our department and the community we serve," the department tweeted on Thursday.

Worcester News