The last time 2 died

By MICHAEL HINKELMAN, Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: April 10, 2012

T HE DEATHS of two firefighters Monday evoke memories of the last time two Philadelphia firefighters were killed in the line of duty, in 2004.

The deaths in August of that year of Capt. John Taylor and firefighter Rey Rubio resulted in criminal charges.

Rubio and Taylor were asphyxiated after being trapped in a fire in the basement of a rowhouse on Belgrade Street in Port Richmond.

Fire officials said at the time that Rubio may have been trapped in the haphazard wiring for lighting used to grow marijuana plants, and that Taylor may have died staying behind to help his fallen comrade.

Within days of the fire, then-District Attorney Lynne Abraham had charged Daniel Brough, a handyman who was renting the house on Belgrade, with third-degree murder, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and other offenses.

At trial, the prosecution said that the fire was caused by intense heat produced by 1,000-watt lamps that Brough used to grow pot in a small plywood closet.

He was found guilty on Nov. 21, 2005, of involuntary manslaughter but acquitted of two third-degree murder counts and later sentenced to 15 months to four years in state prison.

Coincidentally, fire officials plan to honor Rubio and Taylor at a plaque-dedication ceremony at 3630 Belgrade St. at 11 a.m. April 18.

Contact Michael Hinkelman at 215-854-2656 or hinkelm@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter at @MHinkelman.

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