March 29--Both the fire alarms and the oil-burning furnace at the Back Bay brownstone that went up in flames Wednesday, killing two firefighters, had recently been serviced, companies reached by the Herald confirmed yesterday.
Fire officials said late yesterday they are still searching for answers into what caused the wind-whipped blaze.
Court records show the eight-unit apartment building at 298 Beacon St., owned by the estate of Michael J. Callahan, spent $3,063 on repairs from Dec. 14, 2012, to Nov. 1.
The building's heating system is one area investigators had been focusing on as a possible cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in the basement where there were also two garden-level apartments.
The oil-fueled furnace was maintained by MacFarlane Energy in Dedham, records show.
"All I can say right now is that we did service the building, and out of respect for the firefighters and their families and while this is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time," Scott MacFarlane said when reached at the company.
Stacey Stringfellow with Fire Alarm Service Co. Inc., a family-owned business in Walpole, said they serviced the building's fire alarms in November, which was listed in Suffolk Probate Court records as costing $948, but would not discuss the nature of the work. She said the alarms must be operational when they leave.
"Anytime you service a building, the alarms must be functioning perfectly when you leave, otherwise you have to post a fire watch until they are working," she said.
So far, she said, no one from the investigation has contacted the company about their work.
"I expect them to come out and look at our records," she said.
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley's office would not discuss the investigation yesterday except to say it is "active and ongoing."
Both Lt. Edward J. Walsh Jr., 43, of West Roxbury and firefighter Michael R. Kennedy, 33, of Hyde Park perished in the fire.
Boston Fire Commissioner John Hassan said the mood at firehouses across the city is universal sadness.
"The usual banter and the humor is missing. It will take a while to get that back," he said.
Hassan downplayed a news report yesterday quoting a firefighter about how an Engine 33 hose changed hands as it was about to be hooked up to a fire hydrant.
"No, that's not true. We are investigating that. Everything is being investigated right now. We are trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together."
Antonio Planas contributed to this report.
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