Station opens at site of deadly Worcester fire

WORCESTER, Mass.—The site of one of Worcester’s greatest tragedies is now a site of hope.

Family members of six city firefighters who lost their lives in a massive blaze nearly nine years ago were on hand Wednesday to dedicate a new fire station at the site once occupied by the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse building.

James Lyons Jr., the father of firefighter Lt. James Lyons III, said the $8 million station will stand as a symbol of the courage and valor shown by his son and the five other fallen firefighters.

The Dec. 3, 1999, fire in the vacant warehouse was started by a homeless couple. The men became trapped after going into the building to make sure that no one was inside.

A monument to the firefighters in front of the new station will be unveiled next month on the anniversary of the fire.