Firefighters gathered at Annunciation Church in Yonkers Saturday to say their last goodbyes to a FDNY Deputy fire chief who was killed in a house explosion in the Bronx Tuesday.
Battalion Chief Michael Fahy, a 17-year veteran of the department and a father of three, is the FDNY’s highest ranking member to die in the line of duty since the Sept. 11 attacks, and is the first member to be killed since July 2014. Fahy was killed by falling debris just after 7:30 a.m. that morning, when a house at 304 W. 234th Street in Kingsbridge erupted. He was 44 years old.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion, though it was believed to be related to a marijuana growing operation within the building, according to Newsday. Two men are under arrest on related charges. Mayor Bill de Blasio eulogized Fahy, calling him a “hero” whose “life’s work was to protect others.”
“I knew that my father was a hero,” the mayor said, addressing Fahy’s three children. “And I want you to know that you will carry that knowledge with you every day of your lives.”
A donation page has been established for the family att fdnyfoundation.org/donate. Those interested in contributing can visit the site and select the “Chief Michael J. Fahy Children’s Educational Fund.” The department made video from the ceremony on their Facebook page, in three parts. You can watch the procession below:
Funeral held for fallen NYFD deputy chief
