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US firefighters shot dead at blaze in Webster, New York US firefighters shot dead at blaze in Webster, New York
(about 1 hour 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 US 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. Police said the four were fired upon in an "apparent trap" as they arrived 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 officers had to evacuate nearby residents in an armoured car.
A gunman has been found dead at the scene, local police say.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.
The two dead firefighters were named by police as Tomasz Kaczowka and Mike Chiapperini.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. Webster Police Chief Gerald Pickering told reporters: "These people get up in the middle of the night to go put out fires; they don't expect to be shot and killed."
The two injured firefighters were named as Joseph Hofsetter and Theodore Scardino.
They are being treated for gunshot wounds at the Strong Memorial Hospital and are expected to recover.
Police spokesmen said the area was "an active crime scene" but that no more shooters were believed to be present.Police spokesmen said the area was "an active crime scene" but that no more shooters were believed to be present.
It has not yet been revealed how the gunman died.
'Senseless act''Senseless act'
Police teams moved in to evacuate residents after the shooting. Two of the firefighters had arrived in a fire engine and two in their own vehicles, police said. One wounded man managed to escape but the others were pinned down until the armoured car could be sent in.
Firefighters were then able to return to the scene and are now tackling the blaze. Police evacuated residents and firefighters were then able to return to tackle 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. Four homes and four cars were destroyed, police said.
"The contributions made by the fallen and injured officers in Webster will never be forgotten," New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said. Chief Pickering said: "Webster is a tremendous community. We are a safe community, and to have a tragedy befall us like this is just horrendous."
"As this investigation unfolds, we stand with our partners in law enforcement to ensure that lethal weapons are out of the hands of dangerous people, so that the brave New Yorkers who risk their lives every day to protect us are not exposed to additional danger," he added. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement: "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 Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said: "The contributions made by the fallen and injured officers in Webster will never be forgotten.
"As this investigation unfolds, we stand with our partners in law enforcement to ensure that lethal weapons are out of the hands of dangerous people, so that the brave New Yorkers who risk their lives every day to protect us are not exposed to additional danger."
Also on Monday, a policeman was shot dead in the city of Houston, Texas after the driver of a car he pulled over opened fire on him.Also on Monday, a policeman was shot dead in the city of Houston, Texas after the driver of a car he pulled over opened fire on him.
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.
"There's a heightened awareness to this kind of violence in light of what happened in Connecticut," said Maggie Brooks, leader of the local administration in Monroe County, the area which includes Webster."There's a heightened awareness to this kind of violence in light of what happened in Connecticut," said Maggie Brooks, leader of the local administration in Monroe County, the area which includes Webster.
"We have first responders and we have families who are in pain and crisis today and we need to, as a community, keep them in our thoughts and prayers," Mrs Brooks said, adding that it was a "very, very difficult day"."We have first responders and we have families who are in pain and crisis today and we need to, as a community, keep them in our thoughts and prayers," Mrs Brooks said, adding that it was a "very, very difficult day".
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. President Barack 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 experiencesAre you in Webster? Did you witness anything? Have you been affected by this story? Please share your comments and experiences
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