Penn. firefighters charged for deliberately burning asbestos-filled home

Mar 18, 2009

The Attorney General of Pennsylvania has charged three men, two of them firefighters and assistant chiefs in their department, with conspiring to conduct a controlled burn for training purposes in McDonald, Pennsylvania using a home that they knew contained asbestos. The firefighters have been placed on administrative leave because of the criminal charges against them.

The house was offered for a training fire, and the two firefighters were instructed to test for hazardous materials at the home. Testing showed asbestos in the house. The three defendants decided to retest without taking samples from the exterior siding, and the burn permit did not disclose that asbestos was present in the home.

During a fire, asbestos-containing materials can be disturbed and fibers released into the air. A group of observers during the fire were unaware of the asbestos. They may have been exposed to asbestos in the smoke and ash that came from the fire and settled in the area. Testing of the rubble left after the fire found asbestos.

The criminal charges include arson, tampering with public records, causing or risking a catastrophe, conspiracy, unlawful conduct and unsworn falsification to authorities.

For the full story, go to the Observer-Reporter.

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