A new Asheville city report points generally to a faulty (potentially debris in pipe(s)) standpipe contributing to the Line of Duty death of Captain Jeff Bowen in that medical office building blaze last month. AFD Firefighters also went without consistent water for longer than previously thought. Nearly 38 minutes passed from the time the first companies left their stations to when they were able to get consistent water on the fire, a problem identified as largely due to the standpipe. There is no evidence someone tampered with the pipe, one of two in the five-story building.
However, the standpipe in question at the fire had reportedly passed a required inspection in April and passed several post-fire tests, according to city records. Much more to follow.
HERE is more: http://tinyurl.com/3sv2gwd
