It’s been 125 years since a deadly fire and building collapse on Munroe Street killed four firefighters, but their sacrifice has not been forgotten.
The Lynn Fire Department marked the anniversary of the Feb. 13, 1895 Hutchinson Hardware Store Fire Thursday, with a ceremony honoring the four firefighters killed in the line of duty: Capt. Henry L. Skinner and Firefighters Thomas E. Murray, John F. Donlan and Abraham C. Moody Jr.
Feb. 13 was established as Lynn Firefighters Day in 1997 to mark the anniversary of the fire.
The last Lynn firefighter to die in action was Herve Y. LeBlanc, who perished while battling a house fire in Swampscott on Dec. 14, 1986.
“Each time, it’s a wreath-laying ceremony that we do to commemorate the event and recognize those firefighters who sacrificed so much to protect the community,” said Lynn Fire Chief Stephen Archer. “It really is a humbling reminder to me of how much these firefighters give of themselves each and every day to serve the city of Lynn.”