By FireRescue1 Staff
WILMINGTON, Del. — The city of Wilmington will bury the third firefighter who died from her injuries while batting a rowhouse fire in September.
Ardy Hope, 48, succumbed to her injuries last week after spending nearly two months in the hospital, reported the Delaware Online. Hope sustained burns to more than 70 percent of her body from the Sept. 24 blaze. Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Goode announced her death on Twitter.
Two fellow firefighters, Lt. Jerry Fickes and Capt. Christopher Leach, were also killed in the blaze when a floor collapsed.
Hope’s body was escorted to the medical examiner’s office Saturday by her colleagues in department apparatus. Her funeral has been set for Saturday, Dec. 10. A reception will be held by her family after the funeral service, which will include honor guards and bagpipe bands.
Hope leaves behind her three daughters, mother, sister and brother-in-law.
Beatriz Fana-Ruiz, 27, has been charged with arson in connection to the fire. Following Hope’s death, officials expect an additional first-degree murder charge to be filed.
Ruiz has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson, second-degree assault for the injuries of firefighters and seven counts of reckless endangerment.