FIRE TRAGEDY: Two firefighters killed in Kansas City building collapse

They were among four who were injured fighting the two-alarm fire.

During an emotional news conference early Tuesday, Fire Chief Paul Berardi identified the firefighters as 17-year department veteran Larry J. Leggio and 13-year veteran John V. Mesh. Tax-deductible donations will be given to the families of firefighters Leggio and Mesh. “The compassion of the community has been fantastic”.

Kansas City takes on Houston in a series-determining Game 5 on Wednesday. “Our condolences go out to the loved ones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice today, and we pray for recovery of the injured”, James said.

Multiple units were called to the building around 7:27 p.m. Monday night. Flames could be seen shooting out of the commercial and residential structure.

On Tuesday afternoon, 10 hours after the deadly fire, firefighters were still pouring lots of water on the huge pile smoldering rubble, making sure hot spots do not rekindle. “I think these guys deserve it, the two guys who lost their lives”.

Mayor Sly James also issued a statement.

But when the wall collapsed at 8:07 p.m., it pushed debris out from the building 30 feet, Berardi said. He said there had been a fire in an apartment unit five or six months ago but that the damage had been repaired and he didn’t know its cause.

The firefighters were clearing an area with a partially collapsed roof when the structure collapsed further.

The Wichita Fire Department is now in the process of conducting a few of it’s basic skills training, which will take about three weeks for all firefighters to go through. Cpt. The firefighters were rushed to hospitals, where two were pronounced dead, he said.

Two other firefighters were injured. Both are expected to recover, Berardi said. “This is the worst day”, Berardi said.

“The first one that I printed I was really hands on to make sure it looks great”, said Romano, who already planned to reach out the Kansas City Fire Department when he received a preemptive call about making tribute hats.

KCTV reports that around 7:50 pm, fire officials ordered everyone to evacuate the building, including firefighters. Paramedics, nurses, and doctors had tried to save the pair, who had just saved civilians’ lives.

“If you just realized that you’ve lost an immediate family member, it’s the same thing”, Galvin said.