Firefighters Shot Dead at N.Y. Blaze

UPDATE: The Associated Press is reporting that the gunman is dead and that authorities believe that the fire “was a trap” for the first responders.

Yet another mass shooting has taken place, this time claiming the lives of two firefighters who were responding to a blaze at a house in a suburb of Rochester, N.Y., early Monday morning. Two other firefighters who were also shot have been hospitalized.

The shooting forced firefighters to stop their efforts for hours while police worked to secure the area, resulting in at least two other homes burning.

According to authorities, one or more shooters opened fire just as the emergency respondents reached the scene. It’s unknown whether there are any suspects, or if anyone was taken into custody. However, Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn said at a mid-morning news conference that there were no more shooters at the scene.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:

The fire broke out at 5:45 a.m. at 191 Lake Road on the Irondequoit Bay side of the street.

Webster Police Chief Gerald Pickering said shots were fired at West Webster firefighters when they arrived on the scene. Four firefighters were hit, two fatally.

“I’m not aware of anything like this happening in Webster, obviously not a firefighter being fired upon,” Webster Fire Marshal Rob Boutillier said.

One firefighter who was shot managed to get away from the scene and over the outlet bridge to his car.

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— Posted by Tracy Bloom.