Atlanta FF critical, burned in structure fire

[ltjay157 10]

Vagrant faces charges in Atlanta firefighter's death

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (December 1, 2006)

A 53-year-old vagrant, Joseph Pendergrass, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, criminal damage to property and burglary for allegedly starting the fire in a northwest Atlanta home Thanksgiving night that took the life of firefighter Steven Solomon.

Fire Chief Dennis Rubin said investigators think Pendergrass, who has a history of cocaine arrests, was using a candle or something else to keep warm in the vacant Vine City house on Thanksgiving night and left it burning.

Pendergrass was already in the Fulton County Jail, having been arrested Saturday for cocaine possession.

He has two previous convictions for possession of cocaine, according to jail records.

"At first, we thought that the fire was accidentally set. We're now learning that the fire had burned for a while, and the vagrants then intentionally left without making any contact," Rubin said.

Solomon died of cardiac arrest early Wednesday in the burn unit at Grady Memorial Hospital. "We're outraged," Rubin said.

An independent panel chaired by the director of the state Fire Academy will investigate Solomon's death to determine what, if anything, can be done to prevent another such death, Rubin said.

The American flag flew at half-staff Wednesday at Fire Station 16 on Simpson Road, where Atlanta firefighters wore black tape on their badges in memory of Solomon, a seven-year fireman who joined the Atlanta department from Macon four months ago. He and his wife had four children, all under 13.

A fund has been set up through Wachovia Bank for Solomon's wife, Kennetha, and their children.

Capt. Byron Kennedy, the department spokesman, said contributions made at any Wachovia branch "will go straight to the family."

--- Staff writers Mike Morris, Kathy Jefcoats and Cynthia Daniels contributed.

Copyright 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

My sympathy goes out to FF Soloman's family in this terrible tragedy

Edited December 1, 2006 by ltjay157