NIOSH reports on Boston fatal 2007 fire

A federal agency's report says the Boston Fire Department was "ineffective" and "insufficient" during a 2007 fire that killed two firefighters.

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health report this week faulted the department for having weak communication and incident management systems at the fire.

Paul Cahill and Warren Payne died Aug. 29, 2007, fighting a blaze at the Tai Ho Mandarin and Cantonese Restaurant.  Boston news outlets have cited unnamed officials as saying toxicology tests showed Cahill was drunk and Payne had cocaine in his system.

The tests are not public record, and the federal agency said it was unable to obtain them. Drug testing of firefighters has been a contentious issue in union negotiations.

Fire department spokesman Steve MacDonald said Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser will study the report's recommendations.