Delaware

Public Memorial, Private Funerals for Fallen Wilmington Firefighters

Firefighters from around the Philadelphia region will pause this weekend to remember two Wilmington firefighters killed in a row home fire.

Wilmington firefighters Lt. Christopher (Chris) Leach and Jerry Fickes Jr. will be laid to rest in separate funeral services Friday. A public memorial service will follow on Saturday.

The memorial service at noon Saturday at the Chase Center on the Riverfront along Justison Street is open to all fellow firefighters, first responders and the general public, said a joint news release from the Wilmington Firefighter's Association, Local 1590, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and the Wilmington Fire Department.

The memorial service is considered the main ceremony, said firefighters. "This will be the only event where departments will be able to stage their apparatus as part of a static display of honor," said the release.

A public viewing for Fickes will be held Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church on Graves Road in Hockessin. Fickes’ funeral service and burial will be private to family, friends and members of the Wilmington Fire Department.

Leach’s viewing and funeral will be held Friday at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church on Broom Street in Wilmington. The viewing is only open to family, friends, Wilmington firefighters and local first responders. [[394820281, C]]

Honors guards and pipes and drums are invited to also attend Leach’s funeral as well as the memorial service, said firefighters. Anyone honor guards interested in participating is asked to email Griff Jordan (gjordan188@gmail.com) while pipers and drummers are asked to contact Mike Khairzada (mkhairzada@comcast.net).

Authorities continued their investigation Tuesday into the rowhouse fire that left Leach, 41, and Fickes, 51, dead.

Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Goode said Monday that the Delaware Fire Marshal's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the fire, which broke out early Saturday on the 1900 block of Lakeview Road in a development called Canby Park.

While Goode released few details and did not take questions, he said officials are aware of recent vehicle fires in the area but do not know if there's any connection to the house fire.

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 Tuesday in stable condition at Crozer Chester Medical Center. Lt. John Cawthray, firefighter Peter Cramer and firefighter Terrance Tate were also injured in the blaze, said firefighters. [[394677321, C]]

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us