Alcohol and other drugs did not contribute to the deaths of two Boston firefighters last year, according to a review panel made up of other firefighters. But the panel never reviewed autopsy results that showed that one of the dead firemen had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit when he died, while the other had traces of cocaine in his system.

The Associated Press reported Feb. 23 that the 134-page report from the Boston Fire Department's board of inquiry concluded from interviews that the two firefighters, who died fighting a fire at a restaurant, were not impaired on the job.

"The facts show they performed their duties as they were assigned to them," said Division Chief Stephen Dunbar, a member of the review board.

Dunbar said the panel asked the city of Boston for copies of the autopsy reports but never received them.

Boston Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser called the report incomplete. "I don't believe you can report out completely what happened without the toxicology and autopsy reports," he said.

Following the tragedy, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has called for random alcohol and other drug testing of city firefighters. The review board's report recommended establishing a drug-testing program, but did not endorse random testing.