Tragedies Recall Pain of Losses

Jun 20, 06:04 PM

Current Headlines: By RENEE NADEAU

For Bay State firefighters, yesterday's fatal fire in Charleston, S.C., has stirred memories of lost comrades.

"These firefighters (are) just doing their job, and now nine families all of a sudden don't have their fathers and sons coming home," said Steve MacDonald, Boston Fire Department spokesman. "As every firefighter knows, you just never know what can happen."

The nine fallen jakes had rushed into the flaming Sofa Super Store in Charleston to rescue two employees who were trapped inside. The employees made it out, but the roof collapsed before their heroes could escape.

In Boston early yesterday, two jakes were injured when a third- floor porch collapsed on top of them as they battled a blaze in a Mission Hill triple-decker. The porch was improperly secured to the building, MacDonald said.

A third firefighter received a gash on his arm that required stitches. All three were treated and released.

And only three days ago, Boston firefighters remembered nine other comrades who were killed in the 1972 Hotel Vendome fire.

"I lost a lot of good friends," said retired firefighter Robert MacKinnon. "The minute you cross that threshold, you're up for grabs."

MacKinnon and fellow firefighters from Engine 3 had hoped to back up the firefighters battling the blaze on the fifth floor, but the fire chief told them to go around the front of the building to cut off the fire. The roof collapsed soon after they were ordered out.

"We were kind of upset, because we wanted a shot at the fire," he said. "But it saved our lives."

Frank Raffa, president of the Worcester Firefighters Union, has contacted the Charleston Fire Department. He said the tragedy brings back memories of the Dec. 3, 1999, blaze that claimed six Worcester firefighters.

"We just want . . . to let them know what to expect, what we went through," Raffa said.

Despite the occupation's risks, Raffa said, firefighters are passionate about what they do.

"It's a calling," he said. "You have to love the job."

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