Brittany Horn

The News Journal

Two Wilmington firefighters died last month in a Canby Park house fire.

Firefighters Ardythe Hope and Brad Speakman are being treated for injuries.

Beatriz Fana-Ruiz, 27, has been charged in the case.

The hospital where a Wilmington firefighter is recovering following a deadly Canby Park rowhouse fire said her condition has become more serious.

Firefighter Ardythe Hope was downgraded to critical condition Wednesday at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pennsylvania, where she was taken after the Sept. 24 fire.

She had been listed as in critical but stable condition, a more favorable status, earlier in the week.

Hospital spokesman Grant Gegwich said they would not disclose what caused the change or when it occurred. Hospitals under federal law cannot release patient specifics other than their condition.

The hospital considers critical condition as having vital signs "unstable and not within normal limits."

Wilmington fire Chief Anthony Goode on Twitter Wednesday said, "Keep @WilmFireDept injured in your thoughts & (prayers). I'm also asking for some additional (prayers) for Ardy Hope! #KeepFightingArty We all love you!"

He did not respond to follow-up questions about her condition.

Hope was injured when a floor gave way in the Lakeview Road rowhouse, killing Capt. Christopher Leach and Lt. Jerry Fickes.

Firefighter Brad Speakman also was injured and taken to Crozer, where he was listed in stable condition Wednesday.

The hospital has seen such a large number of people coming to visit the two firefighters they cleared out a room by the Burn Center to act as a makeshift waiting area for visitors, Gegwich said.

"When we have a lot of interest in a patient like this, we'll go that extra yard," he said.

Investigators charged 27-year-old Beatriz Fana-Ruiz with two counts of first-degree murder; one count of first-degree arson; four counts of second-degree assault in the injuries of other firefighters involved; and seven counts of reckless endangerment.

Detectives at her preliminary hearing last week said she became angry after she found her belongings moved around in the basement of the home.

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A GoFundMe page has raised more than $103,000 for the families of firefighters affected. It continues to collect money weeks after the blaze.

Others in the community continue to show support through meal trains and other local fundraisers like softball tournaments to benefit the Fire Department.

A Meal Train program set up online lists volunteers providing meals for the families of Speakman and Hope through the end of November.

"Their families are by their sides and in an effort to ease their pain, worry and schedules, we'd love for them to be able have dinner every night and not have to leave the hospital," the page reads. Those unable to make meals can provide donations, as well, to support parking fees at the hospital and gas costs incurred in the daily travel.

A softball tournament in memory of Leach and Fickes also is planned Saturday. More than 37 teams will play in the one-day tournament slated to last all day, said event organizer John Weatherlow. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the families affected, he said.

More information on the tournament can be found on Facebook at "Softball tournament in memory of Lt. Leach and Sr. FF. Fickes."

Wilmington police Chief Bobby Cummings posted about Hope last week, sharing a photo of his sister-in-law and asking for continued support and prayers. He noted in the post that her condition is not easy.

The principal of St. Elizabeth High School, where Hope's daughters attend, also posted photos of the Wilmington Fire Department supporting Hope's children. Shirley Bounds thanked the department for their continued support on Twitter.

Those planning fundraisers to benefit the fire department or the families of those involved in the fatal fire are asked to contact Battalion Chiefs James Jobes or Timothy Perkins at (302) 576-3180 or (302) 576-3123.

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.