Dept. IDs two firefighters killed in Kensington warehouse blaze

“It is with deep regret that the Fire Commissioner Ayers
announces the death of Lt. Robert Neary and FF Daniel Sweeney, both from Ladder
10, who were killed in the line of duty,” Engine 7, Ladder 10 posted on its Facebook page. “Lt Neary and FF Sweeney died on Box 361
Front an York Sts, which was dispatched at 0313 hrs on April 9th, 2012.”

According to multiple media reports, the fire began around 3 a.m. and burned for nearly three hours. The cause is unknown.

Officials reportedly said that while battling flames in an adjacent furniture store that also caught fire, a rear wall collapsed, trapping four firefighters as one narrowly escaped. Neary and Sweeney, aged 60 and 25, were killed, while two others were rescued from the rubble after several hours.

Wind blew hot embers from the massive fire toward area homes, displacing neighbors, but no other injuries were reported.

Commissioner Lloyd Ayers reportedly said the last time the department lost a firefighter in the line of duty was 2006, and it has not lost multiple members on a single scene since 2004.