The Everett fire chief is under investigation for allegedly responding to a New Year’s Eve apartment fire while under the influence.
Chief Murray Gordon, who has been at the helm since 2001, is facing an allegation that he had alcohol on his breath and was impaired at the fire at The Bluffs at Evergreen, 2 W. Casino Road, city spokeswoman Meghan Pembroke said.
A department employee submitted the claim to city officials on Jan. 5. The city’s human-resources department is leading an investigation that includes hiring a third-party investigator to do the “fact-finding,” Pembroke said.
Meanwhile, Gordon will remain in his position. He denied the accusation in a written statement that Pembroke released on Monday.
Firefighters and medics treated more than a dozen people for smoke inhalation, burns and injuries suffered from being dropped from upper-story windows.
The fire started in a mattress.
Jessica Lee: 206-464-2532 or [email protected]
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