January 10, 2009 BFD mourns fallen hero Play video

(Josh Brogadir, NECN: Boston) - Flags are flying at half staff at Engine 37, Ladder 26 as the Boston Fire Department mourns the loss of one of their own.

Lt. Kevin Kelley was killed this afternoon. He along with several other firefighters were riding in Ladder 26 when it plowed into an apartment complex on Huntington Avenue. There are still many questions about the crash.

52-year-old Kevin Kelley of Quincy was a second generation Boston firefighter. He was also a 30-year veteran. He is survived by a wife and three adult daughters.

Authorities say Kelley and three other firefighters were responding to a call in the Mission Hill neighborhood. When returning to the fire house, the truck careemed across four lanes of traffic and into the apartment complex at about 2:30 pm.

People came by the fire house on Huntington Avenue to pay their respects throughout the evening.

NECN's Josh Brogadir reports.