WORCESTER, MASS. (WHDH) - The Worcester community gathered outside the fire department to leave flowers and candles as they mourned the loss of a 36-year-old firefighter who lost his life while battling a five-alarm blaze that tore through a multi-family home early Sunday morning.
Christopher Roy, of Shrewsbury, who had been with the department for about two-and-a-half years, died after becoming trapped on the second floor of the Lowell Street home around 4 a.m., Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie said.
The station where Roy was based quickly became a memorial site.
Sam Thacs brought his young son to the department to honor the ultimate sacrifice that Roy made.
“We feel bad,” he said. “It’s a very sad for the day for Worcester, so we came by to salute them. I showed him how to respect.”
His young son, who showed up dressed as a firefighter, was just one of many to take a trip down to the station Monday morning.
“It’s just sad. Everybody is hurting today,” one resident said. “Broken hearts, heavy hearts, especially the firemen. All we can do is pray for everybody.”
In a statement Monday night, Christopher Roy’s mother, Michele Roy, said: “He was a kind and generous and giving man who lived for his daughter, Ava; he did everything for her. He raised her as a single dad and made sure she had the best of everything. It was so hard, but he never, ever complained. He loved his daughter so much.”
“I just can’t believe we’re going through this again,” said Arthur Dolan, brother of a retired district chief. “It’s very difficult.”
Flags remained at half-staff as candles sat on the ground in the shape of Roy’s initials.
Joan Tolson was one of the residents to stop by the memorial to leave flowers and say a pray.
“This is our town. They’re fighting for us when they go into them fires and he went in to save somebody he thought was in there and didn’t make it; it could be me,” she said. “They’re doing their work. They’re the best.”
Firefighters from Boston to Worcester saluted Roy Monday as his body was driven to the Medical Examiner’s Office, then back to a funeral home.
Calling hours will be held at Saint John’s Catholic Church on Temple Street in Worcester on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.
His funeral will be held at the same church on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.
Roy leaves behind his parents, a brother and his 9-year-old daughter, Eva.
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