Wilmington firefighters laid to rest
Hundreds gather as two firefighters who died in Canby Park rowhouse fire are mourned
- Wilmington fire Lt. Christopher Leach and Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes died last Saturday.
- The two were killed in a Canby Park rowhouse fire.
- Beatriz Fana-Ruiz, 27, has been charged in the case.
The solemn sounds of bagpipes and drums echoed in a light rain as thousands from Delaware and beyond paid final tribute to the two Wilmington firefighters who lost their lives in a weekend blaze that razed a city rowhome.
Some grieved outside Wilmington churches where funeral services were held for Lt. Christopher Leach and Senior Firefighter Jerry Fickes Friday. A few stood stoically as others drew out their cellphones to photograph or video record the processions.
They all wanted to pay their respects to the two firemen.
"We take for granted when fires happen there are people who put them out ...," said Dan Young, a childhood friend of Leach's as he left the funeral. "This is truly just a great reflection on how we should treat these people every day of their life. Not just the last day of their life."
Many across the country were moved by the loss of the firefighters.
NASCAR driver Kyle Benjamin decorated his car hood with a Wilmington Fire Department mourning patch. Benjamin participated at Dover Downs' K&N Pro Series East race Friday.
The International Association of Fire Fighters brought in about 10 members from as far away as California and Texas to help the families and the department prepare for the funeral. This included providing peer support counseling for responders, as well as coordinating efforts for the funeral services.
On Saturday, a joint memorial service will be held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Hundreds of emergency vehicles will set up outside the center in an effort to show respect to the fallen firefighters. Doors open at noon and the service is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Tom Carper is scheduled to attend the memorial service and present American flags that have flown over the U.S. Capitol to their families.
Leach's service, held at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, was the first of two funerals on Friday for the firefighters who perished in the blaze. Five other firefighters were injured, two critically.
Firefighters Ardythe Hope and Brad Speakman remain hospitalized at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pennsylvania. Hope remains in critical but stable condition and Speakman has been upgraded to stable condition. A photo of him posted Wednesday shows him standing in the hospital smiling with bandages on his hands, legs and head.
Three other firefighters also sustained injuries and were treated and released shortly after the blaze.
Beatriz Fana-Ruiz, 27, was charged on Thursday with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree arson, four counts of second-degree assault and seven counts of reckless endangerment, according to the state Fire Marshal's Office.
Fana-Ruiz, who lived in the house, told investigators she was drunk and on anxiety medication when she became angry early Saturday and set fire to the Canby Park rowhome, according to court records.
She is being held on $6 million cash bail, $3 million of which is related to the arson charges and $3 million of which is related to the murder charges.
On Friday, an American flag flew at half-staff at St. Elizabeth's, while another flag, hung between two elevated fire ladders, billowed in the breeze.
"Remembering their smiling faces is the only comfort," said Robin Ridgaway, of the Talleyville Fire Company, who worked alongside Leach.
Wilmington firefighters who have been retired for years, some for decades, attended the service, filling the wooden pews with row after row of blue uniforms.
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Retired Battalion Chief Fred Quashne, 76, said firefighters share a particular bond and he wanted to pay respects to one of his own.
"These guys are the greatest, and they never quit," he said.
Quashne said losing two firefighters at once, after decades without a fatality, is made more painful by knowing it was set intentionally. But still, he maintains fighting fires is "the best job in the world."
"You're giving yourself to your city," he said. "What you offer up is a lot."
Police motorcycles escorted Fire Engine 1, the firetruck caring Leach's casket, to St. Elizabeth's about 10 a.m. Fire officials in uniform and white gloves stood at attention atop the truck until they arrived at the church's entrance. Bagpipers played as the casket was lowered from the truck before being taken into the church for a two-hour viewing.
Leach's funeral Mass took place after the viewing.
Diocese of Wilmington Bishop Francis Malooly, who officiated the service, spoke to a church that was divided with people dressed in civilian clothing on the right side and men and women dressed in uniforms to the left.
The homily was delivered by Deacon Martin J. Leach, who spoke fondly of his nephew's devotion to his work and family.
"Chris was a devoted firefighter," he said. "But his favorite role was as a father to Brendan, Abby and Megan."
William Christopher, a cousin, told those gathered Leach was a kind, gentle soul who wanted to help others.
"Don't ever think of him and our love for him in the past tense, because Chris is here every day," he said.
The Rev. Brad Martin, chaplain of the Wilmington Fire Department, called the deaths "a deep, aching wound."
"We will get back up because Chris will help us. Jerry will help us. They made us strong in life," he said, adding later, "They will continue to bless us. They will make us strong in months and years to come."
Leach's funeral Mass ended about 1:30 p.m. with a moving procession – his son, Brendan, held his father's Engine 6 helmet.
As Leach's services were coming to an end, mourners prepared for the day's second funeral service.
Under another U.S. flag suspended between fire ladders outside Grace Lutheran Church in Hockessin, more than 100 firefighters in dark suits clasped hands and shared embraces with each other and Fickes' friends and family. Media was not permitted at the service.
Paritosh Raval, who attended The Independence School in Pike Creek with Fickes’ son Ben, remembered the fallen firefighter as a father who once – after buying root beer for a group of classmates – went out of his way to find Raval a lemonade instead, which was more to his liking.
"I knew Mr. Fickes since I was six or seven. He was the nicest, most generous, most giving man I've ever known. He wanted to be a father figure for everybody," Raval said. "It's a terrible loss for our whole community. We all knew him. We all loved him. He would have gone out of his way to help anybody whether he knew them or not."
The church gates were decorated with pink hearts. On one side they spelled out "You are our hero." On the other, they were filled with notes written by children thanking Fickes for his service as a firefighter. The sign out front read, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
The Fickes family regularly attended services at Grace Lutheran Church and both of the Fickes boys attended classes there. Fickes exemplified faith and service, said church council member Paul Warren, who learned he was a firefighter only after his death.
"I did not realize he was a firefighter. He never talked about his work. They are very quiet, humble people," Warren said. "I can't imagine how Laura [Fickes] and the boys feel. It's difficult for me to talk about. He was a wonderful father and set a good example for their children."
Jean Warren was there Friday where she expressed her thanks for the Fickes family's inclusion of Lutheran Community Services as one of the charities designated to receive donations in lieu of flowers.
"We're deeply sorrowful today," she said. "Just a few weeks ago we had our walk/run against hunger, and Jerry was out there running with his two sons, and Laura was there. The whole family was there. They were very active."
Contact Christina Jedra at cjedra@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2837 or on Twitter @ChristinaJedra. Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3. Contact Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2785.
