San Francisco Firefighters Offer $25,000 Reward

February 13, 2009 – Hundreds of San Francisco, CA Local 798 fire fighters gathered on the steps of City Hall to offer a $25,000 reward for the capture of the arsonist who set fire to a home, injuring six fire fighters. One fire fighter, Chris Posey, remains in critical condition with burns and inhalation injuries.

“The San Francisco fire fighters want to send a message loud and clear that we will not stand by idly while one of our union brothers lays hospitalized with critical injuries. We want the person who committed this crime behind bars so no one has to go through what the Posey family and the San Francisco Fire Department family is going through right now,” said John Hanley, president of Local 798.

The fire at a residential dwelling in San Francisco resulted in injuries to six fire fighters, two of whom were hospitalized with burns. What first appeared to be a “bread and butter” structure fire went horribly wrong in the first four minutes.

“We were inside putting water on the fire when all of sudden the whole place lit up and became so hot that we had to get out of there," said Lieutenant Jim App, who suffered second and third degree burns to his neck, ears and wrist.

The family of Chris Posey attended the news conference; their sentiments were best expressed by  Lorena Posey-Mara, “We just want this arsonist caught so that no family ever has to go through what Chris is going through right now. No mother should ever have to go through what I’m going through.”

“We thank all San Franciscans for the prayers and support that have been offered for our injured brothers, and we urge anyone with information to come forward and take this criminal off of the streets,” said Local 798 Treasurer Tom O’Connor.