The Vendome Hotel fire in Boston on June 17, 1972, remains the largest line-of-duty death toll in the city. Nine firefighters lost their lives fighting that blaze.
The Boston Fire Department Friday honored those lost with a ceremony on Commonwealth Avenue at the memorial to the fallen on the 50th anniversary of the fatal fire.
Mayor Michelle Wu honored the firefighters saying in part they “show up in our darkest hour” when survival is on the line.
Brookline, MA – June 17: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu takes a moment to compose herself and is applauded by Cardinal Sean OÕMalley (L) and BFD Commissioner Jack Dempsey (R) after her heart felt speech about loosing her own family members to fire at a memorial service to remember the 9 firefighters that lost their lives at the Vendome fire 50 year ago today, on June 17, 2022 in , Brookline, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) 
Brookline, MA – June 17: BFD Chaplin Rev. Daniel J. Mahoney tips his hat to the crowd at a memorial service to remember the 9 firefighters that lost their lives at the Vendome fire 50 year ago today, on June 17, 2022 in , Brookline, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) 
Brookline, MA – June 17: BFD Honor guard march down Comm Ave at a memorial service to remember the 9 firefighters that lost their lives at the Vendome fire 50 year ago today, on June 17, 2022 in , Brookline, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) 
Brookline, MA – June 17: BFD Galic Column march down Comm. Ave. at a memorial service to remember the 9 firefighters that lost their lives at the Vendome fire 50 year ago today, on June 17, 2022 in , Brookline, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) 
Brookline, MA – June 17: A memorial service to remember the 9 firefighters that lost their lives at the Vendome fire 50 year ago today, on June 17, 2022 in , Brookline, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) 
Brookline, MA – June 17: A final flower is laid at a memorial service to remember the 9 firefighters that lost their lives at the Vendome fire 50 year ago today, on June 17, 2022 in , Brookline, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) 
Brookline, MA – June 17: Family members lay flowers at a memorial service to remember the 9 firefighters that lost their lives at the Vendome fire 50 year ago today, on June 17, 2022 in , Brookline, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) 
Brookline, MA – June 17: Photos of the deceased at a memorial service to remember the 9 firefighters that lost their lives at the Vendome fire 50 year ago today, on June 17, 2022 in , Brookline, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)