Do it, then I'll consider your words

The editor of one of our state's major papers has decided he's an expert at firefighting.

McElroy: This smoke should be investigated

I'm no expert, either, but after living with a firefighter for more than a decade, I think its safe to say that I have a bit more insight than Mr. McElroy. I wonder what makes him think the issue is NOT under investigation? Just because the fire department is not showing him all its cards doesn't mean it's not playing the game.

Yes, mistakes were made. Those men have probably chastised themselves time and again for those mistakes. It's easy to sit here, one month later, and rationalize over the should haves and could haves, but the simple fact is that we -- McElroy and I -- were not there in the heat of the moment, when critical decisions must be made.

Further, according to McElroy:

The fire, thought to be controlled after gutting two warehouses, burst into flames again hours after the first alarm, destroying a third downtown building.

Reigniting hot spots are not uncommon in any fire -- be it a simple practice of leaf burning or a major catastrophe, such as the McClung blaze. Frankly, I would have been surprised if there hadn't been any reigniting. Many times, firefighters babysit a scene for hours to watch for any signs of rekindling. Anyone who monitors a police scanner -- which, I'm assuming, the News Sentinel does -- is aware of that.

These firefighters have no harsher critics than themselves. It would serve this editor well to acknowledge his lack of expertise in firefighting and put his attention back into the newsroom.