Following the tragic death of Firefighter Timothy Klein who was killed in the line of duty on Sunday, a somber bunting ceremony was held at the Canarsie firehouse (Engine 257, Ladder 170, Battalion 58), 1361 Rockaway Parkway, on Monday, April 25th.
Klein, 31, and a six-year veteran of Ladder 170, was killed during a ceiling collapse at 108-26 Avenue N while searching the two-story private residence for a reported trapped 21-year-old male inside.
Klein’s parents, three sisters, girlfriend, veteran firefighters and fire officers gathered at the firehouse, fighting back tears. They held each other for comfort while the bagpipes played and black and purple ribbons hanging from the firehouse waved in the wind as a symbol of mourning and heartache.
Klein is the fifth firefighter from the Canarsie firehouse who lost his life in the line of duty. His cousin and fellow firefighter, Keith Klein, said, “Timmy didn’t die due to a lack of training. These men and women are always squared away at fires.” FDNY Captain Mark Schweighart called Klein the “Canarsie Kid” even though he grew up in Belle Harbor, Queens. “He loved this firehouse. He would do so many things around the firehouse. We had to tell him to stop working.”
Klein’s body was taken to McManus Funeral Home, 4601 Avenue N, where a wake will be held on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. His funeral will be held at the Church of St. Francis DeSales in Belle Harbor on Friday at 11 a.m.