The fire that burned in downtown Binghamton, killing an 11-year veteran firefighter, has left a big hole in the heart of the city.
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City firefighter John Gaudet, 40, died Wednesday night in the line of duty responding to a blaze in a vacant building off Main Street. Two other firefighters were injured fighting the flames.
On Friday afternoon, traffic in the area had resumed, but charred debris from the fire filled the property, which remained fenced-off.
Area residents were shocked. Justin Tunney, a resident of the building next door who was home when the fire broke out, said it was a terrifying ordeal.
“We just come outside and see a lot of smoke,” Tunney said. “We all, like, run out and get in our cars and leave as quick as possible to get away from the fire. And it went up quick, the whole block was engulfed in flames and smoke for a while.”
Tunney’s property was spared from the flames, though there was some smoke damage. He said his heart went out to Gaudet and the first responders.
Gaudet leaves behind his wife and their three children.
His wife’s co-worker and friend, Lyndsie Babcock, started a GoFundMe to support the family. Donations have been pouring in.
“Mostly, I just wanted to ease some of that burden for her and her kids,” Babcock said. “I can’t imagine leaving behind three children. I can’t imagine her having to go through this herself, but also for her children as well.”
The Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union announced Friday that it’s raising funds for the Gaudet family.
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