25^th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FATHER’S DAY FIRE

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, families, and FDNY officials gathered in a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 25 th anniversary of Father’s Day Fire. at Astoria Boulevard and 14 th Street in Queens, the scene of the fatal fire. Firefighters Harry S. Ford and Brian D. Fahey from Rescue 4, and Firefighter John J. Downing from Ladder163, were killed while bravely operating at a fire in the Long Island General supply hardware store on June 17,2001, when a basement explosion caused the two-story brick structure to collapse. Firefighter Ford had been a firefighter for 27 years, Firefighter Fahey was a 14-year veteran of the Department, Firefighter Downing had 11 years with the Department when they made the Supreme Sacrifice. The three Firefighters left behind eight children between them.