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WORCESTER, Mass. (WBZ-AM) — A Worcester firefighter was killed Sunday morning in a five alarm fire on Lowell Street. The fire began shortly before 4 a.m. and ripped through a three story wood building, trapping firefighter Christopher Roy and another firefighter on the second floor. Both were freed, but Roy suffered fatal injuries. The second firefighter is in good condition.
Roy, 36, was trapped inside the building for an extended period of time before fellow firefighters could reach him. He served in the Worcester Fire Department for over two years. He leaves behind an 8-year-old daughter, his parents, and a brother.
Political leaders and officials offered condolences following Roy's death, including Rep. Jim McGovern and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Officials said the fire began in the basement and quickly grew to engulf the apartment building. Fire crews from Auburn and Holden assisted the Worcester Fire Department as intense flames and heavy smoke were seen rising from the roof of the building. Witnesses say the water froze as it ran out of the building.
One resident, Oscar, lives on the first floor. He woke up when he heard an explosion.
“When I woke up, I see the smoke coming from the floor. And I know it’s in the basement,” Oscar said.
Oscar quickly alerted his family and other tenants in the building, and helped get them out safely. Because of the extensive fire, smoke, and water damage, about 20 tenants are displaced.
The road remains closed. Worcester police and the State Fire Marshall are at the scene. The Red Cross is assisting.
The month of December is a difficult one for Worcester firefighters. Firefighter Jon D. Davies Sr. died on duty in a fire on Dec. 8, 2011, and the nineteenth anniversary of the Worcester Cold Storage Fire, in which six firefighters were killed, was Dec. 3.
"Once again, December proves to be the cruelest month for the Worcester Fire Department," Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said.
WBZ NewsRadio1030's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports