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The brotherhood and pride of firefighters combined with pain on Friday in Bridgeport. Thousands of firefighters from the towns of Fairfield County and around the state, country and as far as Canada lined the city's streets to honor fallen brothers Lt. Steven Velasquez and Firefighter Michel Baik.
An estimated 7,000 firefighters attended Velasquez's funeral at St. Augustine Cathedral on Washington Avenue and were then bused to Baik's funeral at St. Nicholas' Orthodox Church on Park Avenue.
The two Bridgeport firefighters died in an Elmwood Avenue house fire on July 24 while on the third floor of the home. An investigation is still ongoing into the cause of deaths and how they ended up in a mayday situation after the fire appeared to be under control.
Firefighters said part of the brotherhood of the job is coming together to support each other when a tragic loss occurs.
"No matter whether you are from the area, or there are people here from as far away as Canada, it shows our brothers from Bridgeport we are here for them," said Lt. Patrick Cone of Rocky Hill.
"These two guys paid the ultimate sacrifice, died in the line of duty. This is like brotherhood, when you lose one, it's like being in the family, losing a family member," said Stratford Lt. Mark Krassner.
Stamford Lt. Jim Kelley said while it was a sad day, he was proud to be a firefighter and see the turnout. "It is more than just important that we turn out this way to show support, it is essential."
The two firefighters received traditional funeral processions, with their caskets brought in through the line of men on the back of their trucks. Both Velasquez, 40, a 16-year veteran of the department and Baik, 49, with just two years on duty, leave behind families and children.
Firefighters from across Fairfield County provided mutual aid to allow the entire Bridgeport fire department to be off duty from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday.
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