Veteran Boston Firefighter Killed During 3-Alarm House Fire

A third-generation Boston firefighter died after a fall during a multi-alarm fire in Dorchester Saturday night. 

Robert "Bobby" T. Kilduff, a 24-year firefighter, and U.S. Marine Corp veteran, was assigned to Rescue 2.

Earlier in the shift, Kilduff was credited with saving a person's life during a technical rescue incident involving a train, Boston Fire Commissioner Rodney Marshall said during a press conference early Sunday.

The fire was reported about 8 p.m. at 18 Treadway Road and Boston firefighters had fire on all three floors. The fire extended into the attic, Marshall said. 

During the fire, Kilduff suffered serious injuries in a fall from a third floor window, said Marshall.

A mayday was called and three alarms were sounded to battle the fire, which sent flames through the roof of the three-story home.

Kilduff was rushed to Boston Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries. 

"Boston lost a hero tonight," Mayor Michelle Wu said. "Kilduff came from a family of firefighters, and he held this calling as the highest duty to serve and protect. Because of his actions tonight, working alongside his fellow firefighters, every single resident came out of the flames, safe and sound. On behalf of the city of Boston, I wanted to extend the deepest condolences to the Kilduff family, to all of Bobby's loved ones. This is a family that has given everything for our country and for our city."

"He was our friend, a brother, and a dedicated family man," said Boston Fire Fighters Local 718 President Sam Dillon. "Local 718 lost one of our best. The city of Boston lost one of our most courageous and dedicated firefighters....We ask the entire city to stand with us and stand with the Kilduff's in memory of Bobby, who laid down his life for this city and for his brother and sister firefighters tonight."

About a month ago, when a Boston firefighter went into cardiac arrest at a firefighter, Kilduff began treating the member at the scene and continued CPR in the ambulance until they reached the hospital, where the firefighter was revived.

"You heard the commissioner say earlier today, (Kilduff) saved the life at a tech rescue. Just over a month ago, he saved the life of a fellow firefighter and he gave his life tonight saving lives for the city of Boston," said Dillon.

"Every day we put on this uniform and we know in the back of our minds that something like this is a possibility," said Marshall, a 35-year member of the Boston Fire Department, who was appointed commissioner in April.. "But to actually have it happen to someone that you work with and actually know, it's something that you can't put into words."

He reminded residents of the dangers firefighters face, highlighting the rescue Kilduff made earlier Saturday.

"We were not safe until we actually get home. You can be returning from a fire. You could be returning from a call. But you're never truly safe until you are home. And Bobby is home now with God," Marshall said.

Kilduff leaves behind a daughter and son.

The cause of the fire on Treadway Road is under investigation and displaced five residents.