Everett, Washington fire captain complains chief was drunk at deadly New Year’s Eve fire
KING 5 has confirmed that the City of Everett is investigating allegations that the fire chief showed up drunk at a fatal fire on New Year’s Eve and took command of the fire fight.
The fire at the Bluff Apartments killed one person and left about 100 others homeless.
A city spokesperson says Chief Murray Gordon is being allowed to stay on the job during the investigation.
Gordon issued a statement, saying “I was not impaired the night of the Bluffs fire and I am confident that the investigation will confirm that. I understand that the City must take these allegations seriously, and I will fully cooperate with the investigation and any actions that the City takes as a result. I look forward to resolving this and continuing to focus on the good work that the Everett Fire Department does for our community on a daily basis.”
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An Everett fire captain contacted fire officials Friday afternoon to report concerns Fire Chief Murray Gordon appeared intoxicated on New Year’s Eve at the fatal fire at The Bluffs Apartments at 2 West Casino Road.
In the email the fire captain wrote Chief Gordon “appeared intoxicated and smelled of alcohol,” and “chief Gordon actually took command of the fire for a short time and I had serious concerns.”
The fire captain told his superior he reported his concerns the night of the fire, but fire crews were overwhelmed with extinguishing the fire that killed one person and injured 15 residents. The captain said Gordon didn’t stay long and was relieved of command by another battalion chief.
“I am appalled by this and am very tired of the double standards from this fire administration,” the fire captain wrote.
Gordon assumed command of the incident at about 9 p.m., but the fire was under control by 9:30 p.m. and Gordon turned over command to the battalion chief, according to Meghan Pembroke with the City of Everett.
One person was killed and 15 others were injured in the fire.
The Everett Firefighters Union, which has already taken two votes of no confidence on the current chief, says it expects a full investigation any time the safety of the public and firefighters has potentially been compromised.
