Funeral arrangements have been announced for Philadelphia Firefighter Joyce Craig-Lewis who died in the line of duty battling a fire in West Oak Lane.
The services are as follow:
Viewing (First)
Friday, December 12, 2014
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Batchelor Brothers Funeral Services
7112 North Broad Street – Philadelphia, PA 19126
Viewing (Second)
Saturday, December 13, 2014
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m
Batchelor Brothers Funeral Services
7112 North Broad Street – Philadelphia, PA 19126
Service
Saturday, December 13, 2014
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m
Batchelor Brothers Funeral Services
7112 North Broad Street – Philadelphia, PA 19126
Interment
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Immediately following the service
Ivy Hill Cemetery
1202 Easton Road, Philadelphia, PA 19150
Outside Engine 64 in the Lawncrest section of the city Tuesday night, a community prayed for the firehouse and its fallen firefighter.
Craig-Lewis, 36, was a decorated 11-year veteran and is the Philadelphia Fire Department’s first female firefighter to be killed in the line of duty.
“She tried her best to do what she thought, just trying to be a hero and always saving lives. That’s what she wanted to do,” the victim’s sister-in-law Shanel Youmans said.
The Lawndale married mother of a 16-year-old son and 16-month-old daughter lost her life battling a 3:00 a.m. basement fire on Middleton Street in West Oak Lane.
Officials say she was trying to rescue of an elderly woman, who was in another part of the home.
“Her containing the fire in the basement allows that civilian to get out. That’s how her actions saved that life,” Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer said.
That resident was rescued from the home and is staying with neighbors.
The fire was first reported at 2:49 a.m. Tuesday in the 1600 block of Middleton Street. First arriving firefighters said there was no fire visible, but soon realized the fire was in the basement.
