Residents of East Kensington and surrounding neighborhoods observed Sunday, April 15th as a day of honor and remembrance for the fallen and injured firefighters and all those impacted by the disastrous Five Alarm fire at the Thomas Buck Hosiery Factory last week. The fire claimed the lives of Lieutenant Robert Neary and Firefighter Dan Sweeney from Ladder 10 in Kensington.

Firefighters from Ladder 16 rolled up to pay tribute to their fallen and injured brothers. Firefighters from several other stations joined shoulder to shoulder in the back of the crowd. They were greeted with adoration from approximately 300 neighbors attending the vigil. Ladder 16 ‘s Firefighter Pat Nally is still hospitalized as a result of his injuries from the fire.

Jeff Carpineta, President of the East Kensington Neighbors Association (EKNA), addressed the crowd, saying, “Tonight, this is a message to the families of all firefighters that there is love here in this neighborhood, that there is deep gratitude here in this neighborhood – that those fellows didn’t lay down their lives for no one or nothing.”

Carpineta went on to say, “It’s a heavy day, but we’re together, and we’ll make it through this.”

Earlier in the day, Jesse Gardner’s firefighter portrait gallery on East Arizona Street was open to the public as part of the day’s observation. Gardner, a famed painter who specializes in firefighter portraits, spoke briefly at the vigil, as did Pastor Dan Roth of Summerfield/Siloam United Methodist Church in Fishtown. A responsive litany was read by Rebecca Blake, co-pastor at Beacon Presbyterian Church on Cumberland Street near Cedar.

Blake read, “We hope to be changed, and we hope to be change-makers. We hope, even with grief heavy in our hearts. We lean on the loving arms of our families, friends, and neighbors.”

The crowd responded, “We are grieving. We are mourning. We stand together.”

Carpineta concluded the vigil by asking the crowd to remind every first responder they see how much they are appreciated. “The spirit here is more powerful than disaster,” said Carpineta, “We are Philadelphia. We are a special place called East Kensington. And we will turn this thing around.”

After the vigil, a fundraiser was held at Atlantis, the Lost Bar at Frankford and Hagert. The proceeds from the fundraiser will be given to the firefighters’ families and others. EKNA will match all funds raised by the benefit.

Although grief lay heavy in the air over this crowd, there was also a lot of anger. Both firefighters and neighbors have a lot to be angry about. The property once known as the Buck Hosiery Factory should have been properly sealed and managed. Both the owners of the building and the City of Philadelphia should have taken steps to make sure that properties like this are safely maintained. Unfortunately, two of our firefighters paid the ultimate price due to others’ negligence. This tragedy was completely avoidable. In the coming weeks, I pray those responsible for this tragedy will see some kind of justice, although they will never be able to repay what has been taken from this community or from the Neary and Sweeney families.

Right now, all we can do is work through the grief and anger as a community. Philadelphia’s neighborhoods hold their firefighters in the highest regard, recognizing the fact that they put their lives on the line every day. If you drive around the riverward neighborhoods, you will see red and black bows and red porch lights recognizing the bravery of our local firefighters. Although Sunday was such a heavy day, it was still quite amazing to see so many neighbors pull together with such spirit.

EKNA will continue to take donations to assist those in need as a result of this disaster.  If you know someone affected by the fire at the Buck Factory who needs help, please contact EKNA through their website (www.ekna.org) or e-mail: preservation@ekna.org. You can also use that e-mail address to report issues with the Buck Factory property that existed before the fire.