Two firefighters shot dead, two seriously injured whilst attending call

[Draeger]

What the hell? :-

http://news.sky.com/story/1029721/firefighters-killed-while-battling-ny-blaze

At least two firefighters have been shot and killed while responding to a house fire in upstate New York, authorities have said.

Officials in the town of Webster, located 340 miles (550 km) northwest of New York City, say someone shot at firefighters around 6 am on Monday when they arrived at the scene of the blaze.

The Rochester, New York Democrat and Chronicle newspaper reports that Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn said there were no active shooters at the scene at 10 am.

Webster Fire Marshal Rob Boutillier said it is not clear whether any additional firefighters were hit.

The fire spread to a total of three homes, and all were still burning after 10 am.

A man answering the phone at the fire station said firefighters are unable to battle the blazes until police secure the area.

The neighbourhood's residents were being evacuated and searched by police, and a SWAT team was on the scene.

Sky News are covering it live at the moment.

RIP fallen brothers.

 

[Addicted]

Absolutely disgusting.

More locally, it absolutely makes me rage when you see emergency services trying to get through traffic and nobody pulls over to let them through - don't deserve the air they breathe!

 

[AHarvey]

More locally, it absolutely makes me rage when you see emergency services trying to get through traffic and nobody pulls over to let them through - don't deserve the air they breathe!

There used to be a radio advert on last year and the year before stating that you shouldn't move over for them, they'll just find their way through.

Always found it odd myself but I've also seen some people do crazy and dangerous stuff to get out of the way.

As for the OP, the negative side says "so what, people get shot every day" and until America sort out their gun control laws then this kind of thing will continue to happen again and again.

The nicer said says it disgusting, and even worse due to the time of year.

 

[TheMightyTen]

A chance for the NRA to put forward the idea that Firefighters should be armed as well to make America safer

R.I.P. Those fallen in the line of duty

 

[Antony101]

A chance for the NRA to put forward the idea that Firefighters should be armed as well to make America safer

R.I.P. Those fallen in the line of duty

I'm sure the last thing firefighters want to be taking into a building on fire is ammunition. However it would probably help with the call outs to get those pesky cats out of trees.

 

[eddiemcgarrigle]

RIP. Makes me wonder about the mentality of these people. All we ever do is help, never judge, and we still face these dangers (albeit, here it is bottles and bricks instead of bullets).

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Very sad

 

[Mr Joshua]

Ah, America.

 

[phil675]

until America sort out their gun control laws then this kind of thing will continue to happen again and again

New York is pretty strict on guns so I don't think this will have been a legal weapon, gun control doesn't stop the criminals.

 

[Marmot]

Pretty terrible, RIP.

A chance for the NRA to put forward the idea that Firefighters should be armed as well to make America safer

 

[King Damager]

This is very sad, especially considering time time of year.

kd

 

[grimm]

I can't even understand the logic... what possible motivation could there be to shoot at firefighters attending a building that is on fire?

 

[King Damager]

I can't even understand the logic... what possible motivation could there be to shoot at firefighters attending a building that is on fire?

Insurance claim, trying to burn someone alive, many many things that aren't nice, but wouldn't surprise considering the crime.

kd

 

[LOAM]

Shameful and there's no words to describe the senselessness of it but its America, they accept that people have to die so that their rabid gun lust can continue.

 

[TheVoice]

I can't even understand the logic... what possible motivation could there be to shoot at firefighters attending a building that is on fire?

The same motivation for shooting up a school/cinema/shopping mall etc I guess.

 

[StriderX]

Can excessive heat cause a bullet to misfire?

Though mind you two were killed...so maybe a bullet case went off?

Probably nonsense, but still. Seems too odd.

 

[Draeger]

News reports are suggesting the crews were attacked by an 'unknown shooter' or 'multiple shooters' when they arrived in attendance and dismounted from the fire appliance.

 

[LOAM]

Sky have just said he's been found dead in the area.

 

[XeNoN89]

New York is pretty strict on guns so I don't think this will have been a legal weapon, gun control doesn't stop the criminals.

Gun laws in individual states are irrelevant when it is possible to freely travel from state to state. They need to get tougher on the gun laws throughout the country, not just random states

 

[s2h81]

Very sad news idd ./cry