Processions carrying fallen firefighters to funeral homes

WILMINGTON, Del. (WTXF) - The next in a series of sad protocols is underway in Wilmington. It's to mourn and remember the two firefighters killed over the weekend.

A procession was set for 8:30am -- to honor 51-year-old Jerry Fickes, a 13-year veteran, and 41-year-old Christopher Leach, a 14-year veteran - for their remains to be taken from the medical examiner's office to their funeral homes.

APP users: Click here for the procession as fallen firefighters' bodies were moved to funeral homes (embedded)

According to the Wilmington Fire Department, "All off-duty members are encouraged to come out and line up at 8:30am and show support for our fallen brothers. Two small processions will follow carrying each fallen brother to their funeral home."

APP users: Click here to watch a preview of the processions (embedded)

They two were trapped and killed very early Saturday when the floor they were standing on collapsed.

Two other firefighters were seriously hurt.

All nine people living in the Wilmington rowhouse in the 1900 block of Lakeview Road were able to get out before help arrived but apparently, Fickes and Leach thought children were trapped inside.

Both Fickes and Leach were fathers and are being remembered as brave men who were devoted to their community.

Flags have been lowered throughout the city and the community has been gathering together -- holding vigils -- while the Delaware State Fire Marshal looks for the cause of that devastating fire.

This was the first time in decades that Wilmington firefighters were killed in the line of duty.

Later Monday morning, Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Goode said both injured firefighters have been upgraded from critical up to stable condition.