Thousands of firefighters from across the country descended upon a narrow New York City avenue for the funeral of a fallen fire lieutenant.

Firefighters from St. Louis; Philadelphia; Boston; Monroe, Connecticut; and elsewhere lined up in uniform Thursday on Staten Island to honor Gordon “Matt” Ambelas.

Mayor Bill de Blasio delivered a eulogy at St. Clare’s Church.

The 14-year Fire Department of New York veteran died Saturday night from smoke inhalation and burns in a cluttered Brooklyn high-rise apartment.

He was the first firefighter to die in the line of duty in more than two years.
Fire officials said Sunday that a preliminary investigation showed a pinched electrical cord in a cluttered apartment started the blaze on the 19th floor.

Flames quickly spread to the 17th and 18th floors. Ambelas was among the first firefighters in the building.

The 40-year-old leaves behind a wife and two small children.

Annapolis, Maryland, firefighter Stephen Taylor says firefighters are family, whether or not they know each other.

(AP)