Rage over fire-blaming still burns

TO STU Bykofsky: As a retired Philly firefighter, I thank you for your sane article regarding the fatal fire in Southwest Philadelphia. Too many reporters, both in the papers and on the TV, are still implicating the Fire Department.

Any firefighter with any amount of time on the job, unfortunately, will tell you that the response of the people on Gesner Street is not uncommon. The near-riot level is not common but many times people will blame firefighters when there is a fire death. Many times it is a matter of some type of guilt, that they felt more should have been done by the occupants or neighbors, and rather than admit that, they direct the blame toward the firefighters. As a firefighter, it is something that is not easy to hear but it is something that goes with the job, and you have to deal with it and not lash out at the people making these accusations.

Jack Redfern

Philadelphia

I have been infuriated reading about the misinformation, abuse and finger-pointing done by the Liberian immigrants living in the neighborhood where this happened. As a firefighter in another part of the country, who grew up in Philadelphia, it deeply pains me and troubles me to see my brother/sister firefighters being blamed for this tragedy. It disgusts me beyond what words can describe and makes me lose a little faith in humanity to see people acting like this.

James Clark

Manassas, Va.

On Sept. 11, 1977, two of my children and my sister-in-law, who was baby-sitting, also died in a fire. My sister-in-law ran upstairs into the flames to try and save my small children, Even though she was unsuccessful, I know the firefighters did all they could, and even though my heart is still broken, I wish to recognize the heroism of those firemen.

Phyllis Kaiser

Philadelphia

It sickens me that those four precious lives were lost, and I'm allowing for the grief those families are suffering to keep me from getting angrier than I am. What was the reason for involving the Liberian ambassador? Do they really think the Fire Department targeted them because of their nationality?

Two things continue to bother me about this. One, the residents felt that by blocking the firehouse they were making a point, but all they did was put their neighbors at risk for suffering the same tragedy they did. And two, after the 9-1-1 tapes were released, not only did the families not apologize for their disparaging remarks about the Fire Department, they continued to insist that the truth be told and the mayor apologize. I'm allowing for the unimaginable grief they are suffering to account for their behavior, but that only goes so far.

Sandy Burdsall

Southampton, Pa.