'It is a tragic loss for all of us': Investigation underway into fire that killed 3 firefighters
Monday's fatal fire in southwest Baltimore shocked the city fire department and fire departments across the country as an investigation gets underway.
| RELATED: 3 firefighters dead after collapse during rowhome fire in west Baltimore
This investigation is personal for the federal, state and Baltimore City agents investigating an origin and cause of Monday's fire at a vacant rowhouse in the 200 block of South Stricker Street.
"It is a tragic loss for all of us because we are family and we lost a lot of family yesterday," Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci said. "There's a lot of damage to the structure. We may not be able to determine a cause."
City fire officials said the fire started around 6 a.m. and the building partially collapsed, trapping four firefighters inside. Three fire service members died, and a fourth remains hospitalized at Shock Trauma.
"We are all heartbroken," Geraci said.
Investigators went door to door in the neighborhood, searching for surveillance video that may help them figure out who entered and left the building. A specialized crew from Montgomery County shored up the structure so investigators could safely dig through the rubble.
"We know there is no power to the building. We know there is no electric in the building. So, those types of sources have been ruled out," Geraci said.
Investigators are also looking into a 2015 fire at the same location that left three firefighters injured. Investigators are looking for comparisons.
The 11 News I-Team looked into who owns the vacant home and learned the property owners now live in Pennsylvania. One of their relatives, Jeffery Shore, told the I-Team: "It's sad three people lost their life because the city didn't do their job keeping squatters away. My relatives shouldn't have left the property abandoned."
| RELATED: I-Team explores history of fires at Baltimore's vacant rowhomes
"There must be a plan in place moving forward to prevent this from happening again," Geraci said.
City Hall officials told the I-Team that the building will be torn down after the property is released from the investigation.
Baltimore City Fire Department spokeswoman Blair Adams said there is no policy in place regarding entering a known abandoned building to fight a fire, but she said there is always room for improvement.
Injured firefighter's condition improves
Fire officials updated the condition of the fourth Baltimore firefighter injured in Monday's fire and collapse at a vacant rowhome.
EMT/Firefighter John McMaster has been upgraded to fair condition and he is conscious and alert at Shock Trauma, Baltimore Fire Chief Niles Ford said.
Ford visited McMaster Tuesday.
"He was able to speak and we were able to talk to him. We prayed with him and we're very optimistic about his condition and him getting out of the hospital soon," Ford said.
The BCFD Foundation Inc. is accepting donations for the fallen firefighters. All donations will provide financial support to the families of any BCFD firefighter or paramedic who suffers a serious injury or death while still an active member of the department. Tap here to donate.
A city mourns: Remembering Baltimore's bravest
Lt. Paul Butrim had been with the Baltimore Fire Department for more than 16 years. He started in 2005 as a firefighter and paramedic apprentice.
Firefighter/Paramedic Kenny Lacayo had been with the Baltimore Fire Department for seven years. He also worked with the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad in Montgomery County, where he was named paramedic of the year in 2016.
Lacayo's father was overcome with grief while speaking about his son.
"I would liked my son to be remembered as a son of a proud father, loving and caring, loved his community and the reason I say that is because he like to help people," his father said.
Wheaton's fire Chief Mark Dempsey also said Lacayo was a rising star in the Baltimore City Fire Department.
"He came to the rescue squad shortly after graduation and he flourished there. He became a firefighter became a paramedic was awarded paramedic of the year," Dempsey said.
Firefighter/Paramedic Kelsey Sadler had been with the Baltimore Fire Department for 15 years. She was in the same recruit class as a firefighter and paramedic trainee who died in a training accident in 2007. The recruits in that class were given the opportunity to leave; Sadler decided to continue on with her career.
Gov. Larry Hogan ordered flags across Maryland to be lowered to half-staff to honor Butrim, Sadler and Lacayo.
Firefighters' battalion chief speaks out
The entire Baltimore City Fire Department is mourning the firefighters, but perhaps none as much as those who were part of their firehouse family, working alongside them day in and day out.
Chris Hutson, the victims' battalion chief, spoke with 11 News with his perspective.
Hutson said it is uncharted territory. In his 24 years of service, he can't recall a single other situation where multiple firefighters lost their lives.
"It's tough, it's going to be hard going to work on Sunday," Hutson said.
Hutson would've been in command at the fire scene Monday, but he had to take the day off.
"You can't help but think that maybe if I was there the outcome could've been a little different -- it could've been the same, you don't know, so it's just a whole lot of what ifs in my head. I feel like I should've been there," he said.
Hutson said Lacayo truly loved his job. He worked a fire with him just days before his death.
"I looked at him and I was just, like, 'You really like it at Engine 14, don't you?' He just looked at me and said, 'I love it, chief.' And you just couldn't have kicked the smile off this kid's face," Hutson said.
Hutson worked with Sadler the longest, who was the only woman on his shift. She earned the respect of her coworkers.
"I always told everybody Kelsey is 14 Engine's best man. She really proved herself in a male-dominated environment," he said.
Butrim had transferred over just a few months ago but Hutson said he already showed his potential.
"He's a good firefighter, super nice guy. The guys he worked with loved him and he was going to be very, very good for us," Hutson said.
Hutson said firefighting is a calling, not a job. And his three fallen colleagues gave their hearts, their souls and ultimately their lives doing what they loved.
But that doesn't make the loss any easier. They're a family in the firehouse, and Hutson said he's honestly not sure how they will move on from the loss.
"This one hits so close to home because they were my people, they were mine and not seeing them is going to be hard," Hutson said.
| LINK: A GoFundMe page has been created as a joint effort between the Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 and the Baltimore Fire Officers IAFF Local 964 to support the firefighters' families.
Video below: Full update from Baltimore City leaders
Video below: Procession through Baltimore for fallen firefighter
