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Federal Investigators To Look Into Fatal Beacon Street Fire

BOSTON (CBS) - Federal investigators have joined the probe into the fire that killed two Boston firefighters last month.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will look to identify factors that contributed to the deaths of Boston Fire Lt. Edward Walsh and firefighter Michael Kennedy in a fire at 298 Beacon Street on March 26.

Kennedy-Walsh
Boston Firefighter Michael Kennedy (left) and Lt. Edward Walsh. (Photos courtesy: Facebook-Boston Fire Dept.)

The review will also provide recommendations to prevent future tragedies.

"NIOSH does not examine issues related to legal requirements or regulatory requirements for fire departments. Those issues typically are examined by other agencies," spokeswoman Christina Spring told WBZ-TV in an email Friday.

Boston Fire and Police said last week the cause of the nine-alarm fire was due to sparks from welders working at the rear of the building next door.

Fire investigators have said the work was done without a permit or a fire detail.

Sources confirmed to WBZ that D & J Ironworks on Waite Street in Malden was the welding company hired by the owners of 296 Beacon Street to repair the railings.

However, the owners of 296 Beacon Street were told that work was being done offsite.

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