Lt. Walsh, FF Kennedy Were West Roxbury Residents, Natives

The two Boston firefighters who lost their lives in a massive Back Bay fire Wednesday called West Roxbury home. 

Boston Fire Lt. Ed Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy were identified as the two victims of the nine-alarm fire that broke out on Beacon Street in Back Bay Wednesday afternoon. 

Walsh, 43, who served on Engine Company 33, was a West Roxbury resident and leaves behind a wife and three children all under the age of 10. Wednesday night, Boston police could be seen parked outside of Walsh's home in West Roxbury, The Boston Globe reported. 

A Marine Corps veteran, Kennedy, 33, who served on Ladder Company 15, was a resident of Hyde Park and was a native of West Roxbury, according to the Boston Globe. He also led a contingent of the Boston Fire Department to Rhode Island last month in support of a 6-year-old boy battling leukemia, the Globe reported. Kennedy was also reportedly a Crossfit enthusiast, and was training to run the 2014 Boston Marathon, according to MyFoxBoston.

The Boston Firefighters Credit Union has established a fund for Walsh and Kennedy, and donations can be made with a credit card by visiting the memorial fund’s page on the credit union’s website.

On Friday night, CrossFit Reebok One in Canton will open its doors for the public to visit do 14.5 in memory of the two firefighters. Those interested can visit CrossFit ONE at 1895 JW Foster Blvd. in Canton from 5-8 p.m.; attendees are asked to donate $10.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh issued a statement honoring the two men for their efforts in responding to the fire. Cardinal Sean O'Malley also spoke on behalf of the Boston Archdiocese, praising Lt. Walsh and Firefighter Kennedy for "putting the public safety ahead of their own interests" and asking for "peace for all impacted by this devastating loss."