Baltimore prepares to honor 3 fallen FFs at service

By Leila Merrill

BALTIMORE — Members of the Baltimore City Fire Department have been preparing to pay their respects on Wednesday to the three firefighters who lost their lives in a rowhouse fire on Jan. 24.

A service for Lt. Paul Butrim, Lt. Kelsey Sadler and Paramedic/Firefighter Kenny Lacayo is set to begin at 10 a.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center, WJZ reported. Heavy traffic is expected because of road closures.

The Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 tweeted Monday that department members have been getting their dress uniforms ready.

Gov. Larry Hogan directed the state fire marshal and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management to assist the city last week.

He presented memorial citations at two fire stations on Monday, WJZ reported.

“I said to them, ‘I think it’s important that we all appreciate the people that put their lives on the line for the rest of us every day, but sometimes we don’t always show it until it takes a tragedy like this,'” Hogan said. “Now they are learning how much people appreciate them. It shouldn’t take losing three firefighters before we all tell them that.”

Firefighter John McMaster, who was injured in the fire and went home from the hospital last week, was at Engine Company 14 when the governor visited.

"I got a chance to give him a couple of hugs in here, and give him a governor's coin," Hogan said.

The Baltimore division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating the fatal fire, and a $100,000 reward for information is available.