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2 Firefighters Killed In Back Bay Fire One Year Ago Remembered

BOSTON (CBS) - A number of people continue to place flowers in front of Engine 33/Ladder 15 in honor of Lt. Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy who made the ultimate sacrifice one year ago when they responded to a wind-whipped fire on Beacon Street and became trapped in the basement.

On March 26, 2014, welding sparks caught a Back Bay brownstone on fire. Area firefighters battled the 9-alarm fire.

Walsh, 43, and Kennedy, 33, died battling the blaze. Walsh left behind a wife and three children. Kennedy was a single Marine Corps veteran.

Kennedy-Walsh
Boston Firefighter Michael Kennedy (left) and Lt. Edward Walsh. (Photos courtesy: Facebook-Boston Fire Dept.)

Boston Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn spoke with the families of both firefighters Thursday morning. He says it's a difficult day for them and for the men and women of the fire department.

"It's been a long year," Finn said. "Today is a very somber day. One year ago today we lost two great men, two brave firefighters...family men."

On Thursday, Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted, "This season will always begin for us w/ the memories of Lt. Ed Walsh + FF Michael Kennedy. May we strive always to live up to their example."

Edward Walsh
(WBZ-TV)
Michael Kennedy
(WBZ-TV)

Memorial plaques have been placed in front of Engine 33/Ladder 15 to honor the men.

Private memorials are planned for Thursday night.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030 reflects on the one-year anniversary of the fatal fire:

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