More than 200 people gathered Sunday afternoon at the Vendome Fire Memorial in the Back Bay for a wreath-laying ceremony to honor nine Boston firefighters who died four decades ago battling a blaze in the Hotel Vendome at Commonwealth Avenue and Dartmouth Street.

“It was my worst night on the job, believe me,” said Charlie Seaboyer, 68, of Dennis, after the ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the fire that began on the afternoon of June 17, 1972.