Calling hours held for fallen heroes

Bridgeport, Conn. (WTNH) - Thousands of people are expected to pay their respects over the next two days and say goodbye to two fallen Bridgeport firefighters.

Calling hours are now underway for Lt. Steven Velasquez, who along with Firefighter Michel Baik were killed in a fire at a house on Elmwood Ave this past weekend. A mayday call went out, but both men were found unconcious on the third floor and later died at nearby hospitals.

Firefighters in uniforms from different departments around the state along with ordinay citizens visited the Klein Auditorium in Bridgeport for Lt. Velasquez's wake. The family is holding the wake there because it offers so much space.

"He saved people's lives," Bridgeport resident John Angelo said. "He went in there to do that and his life was taken."

Lt. Velasquez, 40, was a 16 year veteran of the Bridgeport department. He leaves behind a wife and 20-month-old daugther. The calling hours last until 4:00 p.m.

Calling hours for Firefighter Baik are from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Abriola Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, in Trumbull. Baik, a so-called rookie with two years on job, leaves two sons and a daughter.

Bridgeport firefighter Robert Marrero said. Baik was "always there to lend a helping hand whether it was washing the truck, whatever, he was always there."

On Friday, roads in Bridgeport will be closed to accommodate the funerals and the thousands of firefighters from all over who will pay their respects.

"Even though I'm not a member of the Bridgeport Fire Department I felt it was my duty to pay respect to a fallen hero," said Jack Finn, Shelton Fire Department.

"It's like a family," NYFD Lt. Doug Egan said. "They've lost someone close to them. It's a shock. They'll feel the loss for a while."

The funeral service for Lt. Velasquez will be held St. Augustine Cathedral, 359 Washington Ave. in Bridgeport at 10:00 a.m. The funeral for Firefighter Baik will be at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, 5458 Park Ave. in Bridgeport at 2:00 p.m.

Following both funerals there will be a ceremony at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

Firefighters from several surrounding towns will provide mutual aid to Bridgeport so city firefighters can attend the services, and public transportation is being coordinated for the visiting firefighters. All firefighters who are using Metro North's New Haven line to attend the funerals will be able to do so free of charge.

The following road closure information comes from the City of Bridgeport:

Following roads will be closed from 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, July 30.

• Washington Avenue from Coleman to James will be closed to all traffic during this time period.

 Access to the following streets from 8 a.m. to 12 noon will be for local residents only:

• Washington Avenue from Park Avenue to James Street
• Washington Terrace to Washington Avenue
• West Avenue from Fairfield Avenue to Washington Avenue
• Coleman Street from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
• Calhoun Place from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
• Pequonnock Street from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
• Milne Street from Harral Avenue to Washington Avenue

The following roads will be closed from 1 to 4 p.m.:

• Park Avenue from Eckart Street north to the Merritt Parkway
• Old Town Road from Park Avenue to Madison Avenue
• Jefferson Street from the Merritt Parkway to Park Avenue – the Merritt Parkway entrance and exit will be open at this location
• Park Avenue exit off the Merritt Parkway will be closed in both directions. Traffic will only be able to enter the parkway at this location.