Welding work the cause of Boston fire that killed 2 firefighters

Welders working at the back of a Beacon Street building  created the deadly fire that killed Lt. Edward J. Walsh, Jr., and Firefighter Michael R. Kennedy last week, the  interim Fire Commisisoner John Hasson said at a press conference.

Hasson said sparks from the welding work on a wooden building created the first flames which were then whipped up into an inferno by powerful winds on the day

"Any cutting and welding operation ... requires a cutting and welding permit. There's no record of anyone requesting a permit for that job," Hasson said.

However, Police Commissioner William B. Evans said cops are "confident this was an unintentional death."

"Whether anyone should be held culpable ... that will be a determination made by the investigation and the district attorney's office," Evans said. 

 Homicide police had been called in to investigate the fire that cost two Boston firemen their lives and injured dozens of others.

The Boston Herald reports that Mayor Marty Walsh said city officials will announce “in the next couple of days” whether charges will be filed in connection with  the fire that killed Boston Fire Department Lt. Edward J. Walsh Jr. and firefighter Michael R. Kennedy last week.

At the time of the fire officials described “an extraordinary event” that happened in the building's basement that trapped the two firefighters.

Masslive.com reproted the building has been "bogged down in a long legal battle since the 2002 death of its former owner, Michael J. Callahan" and  "has been operating without a traditional landlord or management company because Callahan's daughters, Patricia and Elaine, fought over the property in Suffolk Probate Court."

In reaction to the homicide investigation, Mayor Walsh stated, “The family just buried Michael today, so I’m sure in the next couple of days there will be some statements.”

Meanwhile, for the second time in two days Boston honored a fallen hero.

One day after Lt. Edward Walsh was laid to rest in Watertown, family, friends, and a very grateful community gathered to remember Firefighter Michael Kennedy at a funeral mass at the Holy Name Church in Boston's West Roxbury neighborhood.

Thousands of uniformed firefighters and first responders, children and adults, stood in hushed silence as Kennedy's remains were carried in a flag-draped coffin atop Engine 33 along a winding Centre Street.

And once again, Mayor Marty Walsh and Cardinal Sean O'Malley remembered a public servant who gave his life while serving his community.

"Michael Kennedy ran towards danger and embraced life. He lived his life in the service of others. He gave over six years to the United States Marine Corps, including combat duty in Iraq. He was a dedicated mentor to young people. He was a caring presence for burn victims, and he raised money for Wounded Warriors," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh at the funeral Mass.

"A firefighter's death is a reminder to all of us of how much we need each other. There can be no community, there can be no human existence without sacrifice, courage, love. This is what makes community possible," said Cardinal Sean O'Malley.

Kennedy, a six-year veteran of the Boston Fire Department and six-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, was killed along with Lt. Edward Walsh while battling a 9-alarm fire in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood on March 26th.

Described by many as a 'gentle giant,' Mike Kennedy was affectingly known by friends and colleagues as 'Dork.' He was one of the 1st responders to the scene of the Boston Marathon bombings last year, and was in training to run the marathon this year.

He was a Big Brother of 7 years to 14 year old Alex. An active board member and volunteer with the Boston Firefighters Burn Foundation, Kennedy often visited patients at Shriners Hospital for Children.