UFD Chief Brooks: "I can't imagine the agony and remorse"

By By EMMA WRIGHT

Story Created: Aug 24, 2009 at 3:41 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 24, 2009 at 6:04 PM EST

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - A sad day for firefighters around the state as early Monday morning, two of their own died battling a blaze in Buffalo.

Utica Fire Chief Russ Brooks says the mood in fire stations across the state Monday was a somber one.

"I can't imagine the agony and remorse the firefighters from Buffalo have to be experiencing," Brooks said.

The two Buffalo firefighters died after the floor of a corner convenience store collapsed, sending them into the basement.

It goes without saying that firefighting is a dangerous job. Chief Brooks says safety is always a number one priority.

Brooks says fighting fires in cities with old buildings like Buffalo and Utica poses a greater challenge. In an old building, not only are firefighters battling a blaze, they're also fighting the unknown. Building modifications, rotting floors and ceilings, all add another element of danger.

"Firefighting is not an exact science," Brooks said.

Over the course of the Utica Fire Department's 134 years, six firefighters have died on the job.

Chief Brooks said Monday's deaths in Buffalo brought back memories of the 1996 Bleecker Street fire, where seven Utica firefighters were injured. They became trapped in a building and some had to jump out of a second-story window.
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