Worcester MA Firefighter Killed after Being Trapped in Apartment Building Blaze

The Worcester firefighter killed battling a blaze Sunday morning has been identified as Christopher Roy.

Roy, 36, was trapped on the second floor of a three-story, six-unit building at 7 Lowell St. as a five-alarm fire burned.

Roy has been a Worcester firefighter for two and a half years and leaves behind a 8-year-old daughter, his parents, who are Worcester residents, and a brother. He was assigned to Ladder 4, Group 3 at the Webster Square station and was a Shrewsbury resident.

The fire broke out just before 4 a.m. and was reportedly in the basement.

The conditions of the fire deteriorated rapidly, Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie said during a press conference around 10:15 a.m. Sunday.

Heavy fire forced several firefighters who were on the second floor to evacuate, Lavoie said.

Some of the firefighters were able to escape the building on ladders, Lavoie said.

"Fire crews were heroic in their efforts to rescue their colleagues under extreme conditions," Lavoie said. "Every person on the fire ground gave 110 percent to try and rescue the firefighters who were in danger."

Two firefighters were taken to the hospital. One firefighter is in stable condition, Lavoie said, but Roy succumbed to his injuries.

"On behalf of the entire Worcester Fire Department, I want to offer my condolences to the Roy family," Lavoie said.

The death comes one day after the anniversary of the death of Worcester firefighter Jon D. Davies Sr., who died fighting an apartment fire in Worcester on Dec. 8, 2011, and six says after the 19th anniversary of the Worcester Cold Store and Warehouse Co. fire, which claimed the lives of six firefighters.

"This is a difficult day for the Worcester Fire Department, and particularly painful as this is the week we remember and mourn the passing of Worcester Firefighter Jon Davies and the six who perished in the Cold Storage Fire."

There are no reports of any injuries to residents in Sunday morning's blaze, which remains under investigation.

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said December has proven to be the cruelest month of the year for the Worcester Fire Department.

"Firefighter Roy paid the ultimate sacrifice last night, doing what he always wanted to do, helping people and saving lives," Petty said.

Sadness spread across Worcester as the news got out Sunday morning, the mayor said.

"In hushed tones, the citizens of our city remember his sacrifice, the sacrifices of all our firefighters," Petty said.

Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. said the city has suffered an unimaginably devastating loss.

"Every day our firefighters selflessly risk their lives without a second thought," he said. "Today, they showed incredible heroism, dedication and devotion in their efforts to save Firefighter Roy. It is important to know and appreciate how incredibly hard the men of the Worcester Fire Department fought to save Chris's life and we know how devastating this is to them."

Augustus said the loss is "especially gut wrenching" in the wake of the anniversaries of the deaths of the Worcester Six and Davies.

"I am deeply saddened to learn that Firefighter Christopher Roy passed away this morning," Congressman Jim McGovern wrote in a statement Sunday morning.

"December is already a difficult month for the Worcester Fire Department, and this tragedy only adds to the grief we feel for heroes like Christopher who have been taken from us too soon. His family, friends, and fellow firefighters are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."