Oct 4, 2007 9:25 pm US/Eastern
Alcohol And Drugs Found In Firefighters' Autopsies
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
There are disturbing results in the autopsies of two Boston firefighters killed in the line of duty in a restaurant fire back in August.
The autopsies found that Paul Cahill and Warren Payne died from smoke inhalation and burns, but there were also signs of intoxicants in their systems.
WBZ has learned that toxicology reports show Cahill had a blood-alcohol level of .27 when he responded to the fire at the Tai Ho Mandarin and Cantonese Restaurant on August 29.
WBZ has also learned that the reports suggest Payne had cocaine in his system at the time.
Boston firefighters are tested for drugs and alcohol as recruits, but there is no routine drug or alcohol testing once they are hired. Testing is used only if there is an issue that needs to be resolved.
Mayor Tom Menino is calling for a sweeping investigation of department policies and procedures, including drug and alcohol testing policies.
The Boston Firefighters Union is outraged at the release of the reports. Firefighter Union President Ed Kelly had this statement to give to the media outside the union's headquarters:
"Under Massachusetts general law, the only people authorized to access the results of an autopsy are the immediate family or the next of kin. Whoever released the autopsy reports did so illegally, and we demand that a criminal investigation be convened immediately, and that the parties responsible be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
"The reckless and illegal release of confidential information has placed an undeserved, emotional trauma on the Cahill and Payne families at a time when the grief and suffering from their loss is ongoing.
"The Boston Firefighter's Union will continue to comfort and protect the families of our fallen brothers and hold accountable those responsible for this malicious, and blatant and vile injustice.
"In spite of any unconfirmed allegations, there is only one undeniable and indisputable fact: That two Boston firefighters were killed in the line of duty due to a violent building explosion."
The Boston Fire Department has not commented on the report.
Both Menino and the Boston Fire Department said their thoughts remain with the men's families.
WBZ spoke with Payne's brother, Donald Payne, about the autopsy reports. For him, the memory of his brother has a new and devastating footnote, one that he says, is based on unsubstantiated allegations and tarnishes a true hero.
"I want people to remember him and Mr. Cahill as men that saved lives and helped people," he said. "Don't believe everything you hear. Also, don't forget that these guys combined had been firemen for 35 years. These gentlemen saved lives in those years."
The support was tremendous in the days following the fire. Now, Donald Payne said he worries the community that rallied around his family will feel let down.
Beyond the headlines are children left behind. Donald Payne said his two teenage nephews will live with the public scrutiny of their father.
"They won't get a fair shake," he said. "They'll always have the stigma about their father, and that's not fair to them."
Donald Payne said he will remember his brother as a man who loved his job and called firefighters his second family.
"We want this to come to a closure," he said.
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