Mourners packed the wake for FDNY Battalion Chief Michael Fahy, who died in the line of duty this week when a house exploded in Kingsbridge.
Fahy, a 44-year-old father of three, was responding to a report of a gas leak at 300 W. 234th St. when he was killed by flying debris outside. He was struck by a portion of the roof and killed.
Hundreds of FDNY members attended the Friday afternoon service. So did top officials including Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., state Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the commissioners of both the FDNY and NYPD.
"To lose Mike, it's like getting stabbed," said Stephen D'Amato, a retired FDNY captain who had trained Fahy. "You have this pain in your heart that just doesn't go away."
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro described Fahy as a "rising star." In just 13 years, the fallen firefighter had risen to the rank of battalion chief -- the quickest out of anyone currently serving in the department.
Nigro also announced Fahy's posthumous promotion to deputy chief.
"It's something well deserved," Nigro said. "I have no doubt that in a number of years, Chief Fahy would have led this department."
Fahy's funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning.