Homeless Man Arrested in Atlanta Firefighter's Death

Nov. 30, 2006
Steven Solomon died early Wednesday from injuries sustained in the Thanksgiving night fire.
Authorities say a homeless man has been taken into custody in connection with a house fire that resulted in the death of a 33-year-old Atlanta firefighter. Steven Solomon died early Wednesday in Grady Memorial Hospital's burn unit from injuries sustained in the Thanksgiving night fire. Investigators believe the blaze was started by an unattended candle left by homeless people staying in the unoccupied house. Joseph Pendergrass, 53, has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, possession of cocaine, criminal damage to property and burglary. Atlanta Fire Chief Dennis Rubin called Solomon "a hero" and "one of Atlanta's bravest firefighters." Solomon had been with the Atlanta Fire Department for about four months. He joined the department after nearly six years with the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department.

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