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Feb 27, 2008 4:27 pm US/Eastern
Probe Of Firefighters' Deaths Proves Costly
West Roxbury Fire Investigation Cost Nearly $70,000
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
WBZ's I-Team learned that the controversial investigation into a deadly West Roxbury fire last summer cost more than $68,000.
The probe took more than 1,000 hours of overtime to complete the investigation.
Last week, the Board of Inquiry issued a report on the fire, saying alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the deaths of the two firefighters.
It turns out the panel of union firefighters never actually looked at the autopsy results that show Boston firefighter Paul Cahill was legally drunk at the time of his death, and that Warren Payne had traces of cocaine in his system.
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 the fire commissioner, who is demanding the panel reconvene to complete the review with the autopsy results.
Both Cahill and Payne were killed in the fire at Tai Ho Restaurant in West Roxbury on Aug. 29.
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