Honor firefighters killed in 2001 Father's Day blaze

Five years after three firefighters died in a Father's Day blaze, the FDNY held a memorial ceremony in their honor.
Nearly 500 people crowded into St. Sebastian's Church in Woodside to hear remarks about firefighters Harry Ford and Brian Fahey of Rescue 4 and Lt. John Downing of Ladder 163, who were killed when they were trapped in the basement of an Astoria Boulevard hardware store on June 17, 2001. Two teenagers had started the fire accidentally.
&#8220It was the Father’s Day fire. [Compared to 9/11] That fire was important, too,” said Msgr. Michael J. Hardiman, who spoke at the church memorial. &#8220Each firefighter we lose is important to us; each one as an individual is dear to us.”
Former deputy fire commissioner Lynn Tierney, who also spoke at the ceremony, acknowledged the firefighters families - Janna, 29, Harry, 17, and Gerard Ford, 15; Brendan, 8, Patrick, 8, and James Fahey, 8; and Joanne Downing, 12 and the men's wives - Denise Ford, Anne Downing and Mary Fahey.
Other speakers praised the strength of the three widows, especially since their losses were subsequently overshadowed by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Outside of the church, family and friends observed a moment of silence for &#8220the best of the Bravest” in front of three shamrock wreaths - all three men were of Irish descent - and family members proceeded to the site of the fire - 12-22 Astoria Boulevard - where only an empty lot remains.
In honor of the fallen firefighters, the FDNY also dedicated a new fire truck, Collapse Unit 4, during the ceremony which will be stationed at Ladder 116 Astoria. Several days earlier, Downing, who had applied to become a lieutenant before death, received a posthumous promotion at a ceremony held at FDNY Headquarters.