
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 24, 1990                   TAG: 9003242529
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: DANVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

FINDINGS CHALLENGED IN 2 FIREFIGHTER DEATHS

The State Fire Chiefs Association has agreed to probe the deaths of two Danville firefighters in a house fire, after local fire officials questioned the coroner's findings.

Fire Chief David Lampley asked for the outside investigation. Vernon Dennis Deshazor and Robert Thomas Crutchfield III were killed Jan 28 in a fire officials said was set.

A committee from the fire chiefs' group will meet in Danville Thursday to review evidence from the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Dr. William Massello, who performed autopsies on Deshazor and Crutchfield, ruled the two men died of smoke inhalation. Lampley has publicly disagreed with those findings because it is thought the firefighters were wearing their air masks when they were stricken.

- Associated Press

by CNB