SO LONG

Boston Fire Chief Resigns

After critical bombing memo leaks.

Embattled Boston Fire Chief Steve Abraira is stepping down following criticism of his handling of the Boston Marathon bombings. In late April, 13 deputy chiefs wrote a letter to Mayor Thomas Menino accusing Abraira of standing on the sidelines during the bombing and leaving the scene to law enforcement. Abraira called the criticism "baseless" but said he was stepping down nonetheless, because the public leaking of the letter "has made it impossible for me to continue to do my job.” Deputy Chief John Hasson will take over in the meantime. Abraira, who served less than two years, was the first chief hired from outside the Fire Department union.