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Boston Remembers 2 Firefighters Killed 5 Years Ago In Back Bay Fire

WORCESTER (CBS) – Tuesday marks the fifth anniversary of a 9-alarm fire in the Back Bay that claimed the lives of two Boston firefighters.

Lt. Ed Walsh and firefighter Michael Kennedy died on March 26, 2014 while battling a wind-whipped fire in a brownstone on Beacon Street.

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

Investigators determined that "irresponsible and even careless" actions by welders accidentally sparked the blaze. No charges were filed.

Malden-based D & J Ironworks welders didn't have a permit when they were installing railings, and accidentally threw off a spark. It combined with gale-force wind to fuel an inferno through the brownstone.

Beacon Street fire anniversary
A wreath was placed on the Beacon Street brownstone Tuesday to mark the fifth anniversary of the fire. (Photo credit: Russ Chasse - WBZ-TV)

The company was fined $58,000 for 10 violations after the deadly fire.

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