FLINT, MI -- One firefighter has resigned and another has been disciplined for their response to a house fire in late May that killed two Flint children on West Pulaski Street.
The city announced the actions in a news release on Wednesday, Aug. 10, but shared few additional details from an internal investigation that led to the resignation and discipline.
“I do want to assure the city of Flint that there is no compromise when it comes to protecting this community,” Fire Chief Rayond Barton said in a statement. “My expectation is that every one of our firefighters will perform their duties at the highest level at all times.”
The city’s announcement does not name the two firefighters and does not detail what they did after they were alerted to the fire in the 600 block of West Pulaski on May 28.
Brothers Zyaire Mitchell, 12, and Lamar Mitchell, 9, died due to injuries suffered in the fire, city officials previously said.
Zyaire Mitchell died June 1 at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit and Lamar Mitchell died June 3, also at Children’s Hospital, according to their obituaries.
A Michigan State Fire Marshal’s investigation earlier determined that faulty wiring caused the fatal fire and that the home did not have working smoke detectors.
Barton appeared before the City Council in late June, answering some questions about the fire and the internal investigation into the department’s response.
Sixth Ward Councilwoman Tonya Burns complained then that she had been “stonewalled” when she tried to ask for information about reports that an all-clear had been declared at the scene of the fire before the Mitchell children were found inside their home.
Barton told Burns then that he was still collecting statements from those who responded to the fire and said two firefighters had been suspended with pay while his investigation was continuing.
“You’re talking about two little boys who lost their lives in a house fire. There is a family that is grieving,” Burns said then.
Mayor Sheldon Neeley said in the city’s news release that he has “full confidence in the thorough investigation conducted and ultimately, Chief Barton’s decision.”
“The safety and security of our residents is paramount and must not be compromised. Period,” Neeley’s statement says. “We demand that our firefighters protect and serve our citizens; therefore, we must have the highest standards for their performance and zero tolerance for those who don’t meet expectations. I stand with the fire department and our community in continuing to lift the family in prayer.”
Read more at The Flint Journal:
Home where 2 Flint kids died from fire had faulty wiring, investigators say
Thetford resident targets supervisor with four separate recall petitions
Ad Choices