Fire Station Unveiled At Site Of Fatal Blaze

WORCESTER, Mass. -- The site of the Worcester warehouse where six firefighters perished nine years ago now has a new purpose.

NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that the men lost their lives battling the flames at the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse.

Fire Station Unveiled At Site Of Fatal Blaze

"I know that the citizens of Worcester are going to be proud of this day. They are going to be proud and pleased with the fire station that's come as a result of this tragedy," said James Lyons, whose son, Jay, was killed in the fire.

Lyons said that it fits to put a new station where the fire once burned.

"I see the fire station as a symbol. It's going to be a symbol, of course, of better protection for the surrounding neighborhood. I think it's also going to be a symbol of valor and courage that took place there," he said.

"Terrible phone calls late at night carried the word from relative to relative, from friend to friend and neighbor to neighbor," Lt. Gov. Tim Murray said.

"I see it, personally, as a sentinel that will overlook these grounds and protect that soil that was consecrated by these men," Lyons said.

"It's nice that they should be memorialized in a way that really represents who they were as people," said Lt. Tom Spencer's daughter, Casey Spencer.

"I know my six brothers can hear us. I know they can hear me. We are coming home, and I know they'll be on the rigs with us when we answer our alarms," said Frank Raffa, of the Worcester Firefighters Union.

"I think it is going to be a very special place. The ones that do serve there, every time they leave I am sure they will be carrying the spirit of the six men with them," Lyons said.

Monuments that honor the fallen firefighters will be unveiled on Dec. 3.