Firefighters Gather to Honor Comrades Slain in Upstate Ambush

Hundreds of firefighters from the U.S. and Canada are heading to the Rochester area for the wakes and funeral services for the two volunteer firefighters killed in a Christmas Eve ambush.

Calling hours for Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka will be held at Webster Schroeder High School. Calling hours Friday night are were initially for Webster firefighters and police officers only, but have been opened to the public because of the overwhelming response from the community. 

Calling hours are also being held Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.

Chiapperini and Kaczowka were fatally shot by William Spengler early Monday morning when they arrived at a scene of a fire Spengler had set at his lakeside home. Two other Webster firefighters were wounded.

Chiapperini's funeral is Sunday and Kaczowka's is Monday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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