A 24-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department, Robert "Bobby" Kilduff Jr., died while battling a three-alarm house fire in the Dorchester neighborhood on Saturday night. Kilduff, 53, fell from a third-floor window of a home on Treadway Road during rescue efforts. Despite the best efforts of firefighters, EMS personnel, and crews on scene, he succumbed to his injuries. He is survived by an adult daughter and son.
Firefighter Kilduff was a member of Rescue 2 and Boston Firefighters Local 718, the International Association of Fire Fighters, and the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts. He also served as a Marine Corps veteran. The fire, which began around 8 p.m., extended into the attic, and firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. All residents safely escaped the fire due to the efforts of the responding firefighters.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called Kilduff a hero, stating that his actions ensured the safety of all residents. "Boston lost a hero," Wu said. "Firefighter Robert Kilduff Jr. came from a family of firefighters, and he held this calling as the highest duty to serve and protect." She extended condolences to Kilduff’s family, noting his legacy of service to the city and country.
Boston Fire Commissioner Rodney Marshall described the incident as a tragic reminder of the risks firefighters face daily. "You’re never truly safe until you’re home," Marshall said. "And Bobby is home now, with God." Five people were displaced by the fire, and the cause remains under investigation.
Local 718 President Sam Dillon praised Kilduff as "one of our best," emphasizing his dedication and courage. "We ask the entire city to stand with us and to stand with the Kilduff’s, in memory of Bobby, who laid down his life for this city and for his brother and sister firefighters," Dillon said.