Baltimore officials delivered the tragic news that three Baltimore firefighters died and a fourth is in critical condition following the collapse of a rowhome Monday morning.
Fire Chief Niles Ford identified the deceased as Lt. Paul Butrim, Firefighter/Paramedic Kelsey Sadler, and Firefighter/Paramedic Kenneth Lacayo.
Firefighter/EMT John McMaster, a six-year member of the department, is in critical condition but stable condition at Baltimore Shock Trauma.
"This is a gut wrenching tragedy for our city, the Baltimore City Fire Department, and most importantly the families of our firefighters. There are no words to describe the pain and the severity of the losses we have suffered today," Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement. "My heart is with the Firefighters, their families, and the entire Baltimore City Fire Department who put the lives and safety of others before their own wellbeing each and every day. I ask that all of Baltimore keep them in our prayers during this extremely difficult time."
Firefighters were called to the fire on the 200 block of South Stricker Street at 5:53 a.m. and arrived at 5:56, Ford said during the press conference.
In a photo posted to Twitter by Baltimore Firefighters Local 734, fire was showing from all floors of the three-story, middle-of-the-row home.
Just after 6:30, Local 734 tweeted that there had been a collapse and multiple maydays were called. In a photo they shared, fire was now through the roof of the structure.
A second alarm was called to bring additional crews to the scene.
