WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester fire fighting community came together Sunday to remember the six firefighters who perished in the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse Fire on Dec. 3, 1999.
It's been 24 years since the tragic night took the lives of firefighters Paul Brotherton, Timothy Jackson, Jerry Lucey, Jay Lyons, Joseph McGuirk and Lt. Thomas Spencer; forever known as the "Worcester Six."
Every year, members of the Worcester Fire Department gather at the Franklin Street Station, which was built on the site of the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse, to lay a wreath and pay tribute to the lives lost.
Among the ranks gathered last night were the sons of the fallen firefighters who were just children that December night when they lost their fathers. Five of firefighter Paul Brotherton six sons are now following their dad's career path, including Lt. Brian Brotherton.
"Well, I've wanted to follow in my father's footsteps since I was 6 years old," Brotherton said. "He would be very proud of myself and four of my other brothers."
In addition to Brotherton's five sons, Spencer and Lucey also have sons who are now members of the Worcester Fire Department.