Pot Fire That Killed 2 Leads to Conviction
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PHILADELPHIA — A handyman whose basement marijuana-growing operation led to a fire that killed two firefighters was convicted Monday of involuntary manslaughter.
Prosecutors said the blaze was caused by a growing light inside a closet at Daniel Brough’s home. The defense argued that the fire started elsewhere.
Brough, 37, faces three to 12 months in prison on each of two counts when he is sentenced Nov. 29. The jury rejected charges of third-degree murder, which would have carried six to 20 years each.
Firefighters John Taylor, 53, and Rey Rubio, 42, died in the 2004 blaze. According to officials, Rubio became disoriented in the smoky basement and got tangled in debris. Taylor tried to rescue him and died at his side.
The jury also convicted Brough of a drug-manufacturing charge, rejecting his testimony that he was growing the marijuana for his own use.
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