Wednesday's tragic fire in Rosemont killed Sam Davis, the 76-yar-old father of one our top editors at the Baltimore Sun. It also has raised serious questions about the Fire Department's longstanding practice of closing fire companies to save money.

Engine 20 responded to the 3 a.m. fire on Presstman Street but Truck 18 sat in that same station, shut down as part of rotating closures. Another truck company came from two miles away, a delay that has critics charging that buget cuts contributed to a death. Fire officials also say that the initial 911 call came in on a cell phone and was garbled, and fire crews were first sent to Presbury Street four blocks away.

Baltimore Sun reporter Julie Scharper and Liz Kay provide more details in today's paper and on-line story. Earlier this week, Mayor Sheila Dixon nixed plans by Fire Chief James S. Clack to permantenly close three stations, which would cut back on rotating closures. But the mayor did agree on one closure (Truck 16, which ironically was sent to the fatal fire in place of Truck 18)prompting a fire lieutenant to openly speak out on a Bolton Hill blog:

I appreciate your allowing me to voice my concerns on your forum. I am a Lieutenent at Truck 16, which is the fire truck located at 406 McMechen Street. We have just been informed that we will be closed permanently on January 1st. this puts all of you in extreme jeapordy. The engine will remain, however, the engine does not carrie ladders to assist you from windows in the event of a fire. We have served this community for years with much pride and feel this is very much a disservice to you hard working tax paying individuals. The department is permanenttly closing 3 companies on January 1st. If you are as upset about this as we, your local servants are, perhaps you could contact your local councilperson and voice your concerns. Thanks

Lieutenant Robert G. Folderauer
Truck Company # 16

The lieutenant noted a meeting has been scheduled with the fire chief, his command staff and City Council members at the McMechen Street firehouse for tonight at 7 p.m.

It's a volatile issue that is sure cause an uproar and debate. The president of the Rosemont Community Association, Robert Hunt, told The Sun's Liz Kay: "This is a good example of money versus lives. What is more important to you? " It's a crap shoot and it was the wrong decision as far as I'm concerned."