Philadelphia

Vice President Joe Biden Speaks at Fallen Wilmington Firefighters' Memorial

Vice President Joe Biden spoke Saturday afternoon at a public memorial service in Wilmington, Del., for two firefighters killed last weekend in a rowhouse fire.

Biden and his wife, Jill, attended Saturday's memorial at the Chase Center on the Riverfront along Justison Street. The service was open to all fellow firefighters, first responders and the general public.

Wilmington firefighters Lt. Christopher (Chris) Leach and Jerry Fickes Jr. were laid to rest in separate funeral services Friday. [[395456991, C]]

Leach’s viewing and funeral were held Friday at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church on Broom Street in Wilmington. The viewing and funeral were only open to family, friends, Wilmington firefighters and local first responders.

A public viewing for Fickes was held Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church on Graves Road in Hockessin. Fickes was to be laid to rest after a private funeral Friday. [[395441821, C]]

Wilmington fire Chief Anthony S. Goode thanked fellow firefighters for covering shifts this weekend so members of the department could grieve. 

A resident of the home along Lakeview Road is charged with murder. Beatriz Fana-Ruiz told investigators she lit the fire in the basement of the home in the Canby Park development, said investigators. She remained jailed Friday on $3 million bail.

The floor of the home collapsed as firefighters went inside, and four firefighters were trapped in the basement.

Fellow firefighters Ardythe Hope and Brad Speakman continued to recover Friday at Crozer Chester Medical Center. Lt. John Cawthray, firefighter Peter Cramer and firefighter Terrance Tate were also injured in the blaze, said firefighters. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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