A Boston Fire Department ladder truck coming down a hill crashed into a high-rise apartment building on Jan. 9, killing one firefighter and seriously injuring a second. According to the Associated Press, the truck was returning from a medical call when it went through the intersection at Huntington Avenue off a steep hill.

Lt. Kevin Kelley, 52, of Quincy, a 30-year veteran supervisor riding in the truck's front seat, died at the scene. He was one of the firefighters featured on the Discovery Channel's 2005 "Firehouse USA-Boston" shows, following the crew of Ladder 26. Another firefighter aboard broke his leg, and two other firefighters suffered minor injuries. Another firefighter helping at the scene broke his ankle.

Five people who were not involved in the crash were taken to hospitals to be checked because of anxiety-related symptoms.

A detailed inspection of the apparatus conducted by a mechanical specialist hire by the Suffolk district attorney's office found the brakes failed. Jake Wark, a spokesman for the district attorney, says the investigation is ongoing.

Commissioner Roderick J. Fraser told the Boston Globe that the fire department does not have a routine preventive maintenance program for the city's fire trucks. The last time the brakes on Ladder 26 were inspected was 10 months ago, though the truck's manufacturer recommends inspections every three months.

The fire department has an apparatus maintenance division of 12 uniformed firefighters who rotate tires and fix broken lights, among other duties, but they are not licensed mechanics.

During mandatory inspections of other fire trucks following the crash, the first ladder truck to undergo inspections, Ladder 14, also had a problem with its brakes and was taken out of service. Ladder 14 is the same type of truck as Ladder 26.

The Boston Firefighters Union Local 718 blamed the crash on department failure to replace aging trucks. The truck that crashed was a 1995 model. The truck that failed the inspection following is a 1993 model.