The tragic blaze that left six family members dead in Syracuse Friday occurred just hours before the end of District Chief Jeff Sargent's 23-year career.
"I'm upset about it," Sargent told the Syracuse Post-Standard. "But the thing about this morning -- aside from being in tears -- I've never seen such heroism from guys on the job trying to make that second floor."
The initial attempt to access the interior of the home - where fire was shooting from most windows and doors - was thwarted when the porch roof collapsed. Wires fell, further hampering access by crews on the scene.
Firefighters from the Rescue Company used a ladder to access the second floor - where four of the bodies were later recovered from - but had to withdraw due to extreme heat.
"The heroism I saw from the rescue company was extraordinary," he said.
The bodies of four children and two adults were recovered from the home after the fire was knocked down.
"Those people, they didn't stand a chance," Sargent said.
"My desire was I'd be able to retire without having one of these -- a fire like this," Sargent said outside the station Friday. "Anytime we lose anybody is never a good day. It's definitely not the way I wanted to go out on retirement."
