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LODD: 3rd Del. firefighter dies after arson rowhouse blaze

Ardy Hope, along with Capt. Christopher Leach and Lt. Jerry Fickes, were battling a fire when the floor collapsed

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Ardythe Hope.

Photo/Wilmington Fire Department

By FireRescue1 Staff

WILMINGTON, Del. — A Wilmington firefighter who was severely injured in a September rowhouse fire died of her injuries Thursday.

Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Goode announced the death of Ardy Hope on Twitter. Hope had been in the hospital since the Sept. 24 fire and was in critical condition. Two colleagues, Capt. Christopher Leach and Lt. Jerry Fickes, were killed in the blaze when the floor collapsed.

Hope’s condition worsened in October, when her condition was downgraded from stable to critical condition.

“It is with the heaviest heart that I announce the line-of-duty death of senior firefighter Ardy Hope. #RIP Ardy, I/We love you,” read Chief Goode’s tweet.

Authorities have charged Beatriz Dana-Ruiz, 27, with murder, arson and assault regarding the incident.