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US firefighters shot dead at blaze in Webster, New York | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two volunteer firefighters have been shot dead and two injured while responding to an emergency call in the town of Webster in New York state. | Two volunteer firefighters have been shot dead and two injured while responding to an emergency call in the town of Webster in New York state. |
It appears the four were fired upon as they arrived at the scene of a fire early on Monday morning. | It appears the four were fired upon as they arrived at the scene of a fire early on Monday morning. |
The blaze broke out just before 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT) and the shooting reportedly prevented firefighters putting it out for several hours. | The blaze broke out just before 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT) and the shooting reportedly prevented firefighters putting it out for several hours. |
A gunman has been found dead at the scene, local police say. | |
"Upon arrival of the first.. engine company and some firefighters in their personal vehicles, they underwent gunfire from a location unknown," Webster's Fire Marshal Rob Boutillier told reporters. | "Upon arrival of the first.. engine company and some firefighters in their personal vehicles, they underwent gunfire from a location unknown," Webster's Fire Marshal Rob Boutillier told reporters. |
The two dead firefighters were named by police as Tomasz Kaczowka and Mike Chiapperini. | |
An off-duty policeman who was driving by the scene at the time received shrapnel wounds and was also being treated, Webster Police Chief Gerald Pickering told reporters. | |
Police spokesmen said the area was "an active crime scene" but that no more shooters were believed to be present. | |
'Senseless act' | |
Police teams moved in to evacuate residents after the shooting. | |
Firefighters were then able to return to the scene and are now tackling the blaze. | |
"All of our thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of those who were killed in this senseless act of violence," New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. | |
The debate on gun violence in the US was rekindled earlier this month by the shootings at a school in Newtown, Connecticut, which left 20 children and six adults dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School. | The debate on gun violence in the US was rekindled earlier this month by the shootings at a school in Newtown, Connecticut, which left 20 children and six adults dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School. |
It was one of the worst mass shootings in American history. | It was one of the worst mass shootings in American history. |
President Obama has promised to push for action on gun control while the National Rifle Association (NRA) has called for armed security in all American schools. | |
Are you in Webster? Did you witness anything? Have you been affected by this story? Please share your comments and experiences | Are you in Webster? Did you witness anything? Have you been affected by this story? Please share your comments and experiences |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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