3 Baltimore firefighters dead after partial building collapse

Three Baltimore firefighters are dead and a fourth was hospitalized Monday after a burning building partially collapsed, officials said.

The Baltimore City Fire Department said crews responded to the fire about 6 a.m. in a vacant three-story rowhouse in the Mount Clare neighborhood.

As they were working to control the blaze, the building partially collapsed, Baltimore Fire Chief Niles Ford tweeted.

Ford said two firefighters were pronounced dead after they were hospitalized and a third who was pulled from the structure was pronounced dead at the scene. The dead were: Lt. Paul Butrim, firefighter-paramedic Kelsey Sadler and EMT-firefighter Kenny Lacayo

A fourth firefighter, John McMaster, remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition, Ford said Monday afternoon.

“From this moment, we will honor those who lost their lives today — for their bravery, for their courage, for their love and compassion for this great city and for the fire department as well,” the chief said.

Immediately after the collapse, one firefighter was freed and three remained trapped, Ford tweeted. Over the following hours, firefighters rescued two others, then tore down the building’s facade and located the fourth, according to NBC affiliate WBAL of Baltimore.

WBAL reported that another vacant rowhome on the same block injured three firefighters during a blaze in October 2015.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott said his heart was with the firefighters and their families.

"I ask that all of Baltimore keep them and our department and our city in their prayers during this extremely difficult time," Scott said at an afternoon news conference.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered flags lowered to half-staff and said in a statement, "this is our worst nightmare."

"Our hearts are broken for the entire Baltimore City Fire Department as three of our bravest have fallen in the line of duty," Hogan said.