WESTMINSTER : Fire Officials Dispute Allegations in Death

Fire Department officials on Monday disputed allegations that a mentally disabled man died Thursday because of inadequate fire equipment.

They said the fire was so intense that no one could have saved Mark D. York, 34, who died of smoke inhalation when flames engulfed Christian Residential Care, a board-and-care home on Candlewood Street.

His body was found in a bathroom on the bottom floor of the two-story building.

Mike Garrison, a director of the Westminster Firefighters Assn. Local 2425, said that York’s death could have been avoided if a firetruck at Station 2, the fire station closest to the fire, had not been put out of service last year as part of a reorganization of the department.

Don Herr, the department’s chief investigator, found that it would not have made a difference if a firetruck, which has special equipment to puncture holes on roofs for ventilation, had arrived with the first fire engine.

Mayor Charles V. Smith and Councilwoman Charmayne S. Bohman have scheduled a noon press conference today to answer the union’s allegations.

Fire Chief John T. DeMonaco Jr. also is scheduled to provide additional details about the investigation into the fire.

City officials described Garrison’s charge as irresponsible and premature because the investigation had not been completed.

It was the latest salvo in the continuing feud between members of the council and firefighters’ union, which is supporting a recall drive against Smith, Bohman and Councilmen Craig Schweisinger and Tony Lam.

Supporters of the firefighters have until Feb. 19 to gather 6,937 signatures to force a recall election.