Feb 22, 2008 7:28 pm US/Eastern
Probe Of Firefighters' Deaths Disputed
Board's Report: Drugs, Alcohol Not Factors In Boston Firefighters' Deaths
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser is disputing a key part of a report on the deaths of two Boston firefighters last summer.
He believes the panel was wrong to dismiss evidence that the men may have been impaired at the time.
The findings by the Fire Department board of inquiry - first reported by WBZ's I-Team - has concluded that drugs and alcohol weren't factors in the deaths of Paul Cahill and Warren Payne in the fire at Tai Ho Restaurant in West Roxbury on Aug. 29.
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Fraser told reporters Friday that he wants the board to reconsider the role drugs and alcohol may have played that night. He plans to reconvene the panel so that they can consider results from toxicology reports.
The panel did not obtain copies of their autopsy reports, which reportedly said that Cahill had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit and Payne had traces of cocaine in his system.
The panel's report released Friday said, "The board of inquiry could find no factual indications supporting that alcohol/drug impairment contributed to or caused these two firefighters (to die)."
Autopsies are not public record, but state law allows the medical examiner to give copies of the reports to investigatory bodies.
A spokesman for the state Executive Office of Public Safety said he could not say whether the fire department board asked for the reports because it does not comment on how they are disseminated.
The finding by the board, made up entirely of fire union members, was quickly disputed by Fraser.
"I do not believe the board of inquiry could fully address the issue without a discussion with medical experts," said Fraser.
The 134-page report on the deadly fire is based on interviews with dozens of firefighters, police officers, EMTs and civilians. It makes 60 recommendations, including implementing a drug testing program and substance abuse training. It does not recommend mandatory alcohol testing.
The report reveals that Cahill went into the burning restaurant without a face mask and left his radio at the station. When a fireball exploded in the kitchen, he tried to feel his way out along a hose, but went deeper into the building.
Fraser did praise the board for figuring out exactly what happened at the fire.
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