Welding Co. Owners Fined for Fire that Killed Boston Jakes

Sept. 19, 2014
They are facing a $58,000 fine for workplace violations.

Editor's Note -- Lt. Edward J. Walsh Jr. and Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy died in the fire in March.

BOSTON (AP) — The owners of a welding company blamed for a fire that killed two Boston firefighters are facing fines of up to $58,000 after federal workplace safety regulars concluded the firm didn't follow proper precautions.

Investigators determined that the March fire in the Back Bay was caused because D & J Iron Works allowed its employees to install railings using arc welding equipment during high winds. Sparks ignited the fire.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Friday that D & J lacked an effective fire prevention and protection program, failed to train its employees in fire safety, did not have a fire watch present and did not move the railing to a safe area.

Several phone numbers for D & J and the owners were not in service Friday.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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