Dallas

No Discipline Over Errors Leading to Firefighter's Death: Chief

There will be no discipline for errors that contributed to the death of a firefighter last year, Dallas Fire Chief Louie Bright said Friday.

Stanley Wilson, 51, was a husband and father. He died when a burning building collapsed on him while fighting a six-alarm fire at the Hearthwood Condominiums on Abrams Road in May 2013.

Nearly 16 months later, Dallas Fire Rescue officially released the report Friday on the line of duty death investigation. NBC 5 obtained a copy Thursday.

"There is no one person that bears all responsibility for what occurred," Bright said.

The report details a series of communication, risk assessment, supervision and firefighting tactical errors. It says a deputy chief ordered Wilson back into the burning building that had already been searched. But Bright said it is his conclusion that all firefighters on the scene did the best they could under the circumstances.

"I do not believe that discipline is merited," Bright said. "However, the investigation clearly identifies the need to change the way we do business in the area of training as well as fire strategies and tactics."

Attorney Barry Hasten, who is representing Wilson's widow, said the department has produced a much longer report than the one it released.

"It's my job to get at the truth and to see whether or not key facts and evidence have been hidden or redacted," Hasten said.

Wilson's friend, Jim Crump, a former Dallas firefighter, has been asking questions ever since the fatal fire.

"It's a cover up. That's exactly what this is," Crump said.

Crump said the chief's response so far only leaves him with more questions.

"The way he has refused to hold people accountable, he's just trying to make this go away," Crump said.

Even though the cause of the fire was earlier listed as "undetermined," Bright also said Friday that a criminal arson investigation is still underway into the possible cause.

Bright left a city hall appearance where he read his statement about the report, refusing to take any questions.

Dallas Hispanic Firefighters Association President Christian Hinojosa also read a statement.

"The death of Stan Wilson is a tragedy, and the employee groups are working together to be sure that change occurs," Hinojosa said.

The city report they were given is 111 pages long and the state report is 54 pages. The reports can be seen at the bottom of the page.

State Fire Marshal's Report

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Stanley Wilson - DFR Firefighter Fatality Investigation (Text)

City of Dallas' Report

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Stanley Wilson - DFR Investigation Report (Text)

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