Mayor Villaraigosa Names Interim Fire Chief

LOS ANGELES, December 4, 2006 -- Los Angeles has a new fire chief, but the choice is just temporary.

Douglas Barry becomes the first black to lead the city's fire department but the mayor's office says Barry doesn't want the job on a permanent basis. So, he'll serve only until the mayor finds someone to keep the job.

The previous fire chief resigned amid a furor involving a black firefighter who was fed spaghetti mixed with dog food. The firefighter claimed he was fed dog food because he's black. But other firefighters said it was just an ordinary firehouse prank with no racist intent.

The mayor vetoed a $2.7 million dollar settlement with the firefighter, after photos surfaced showing that the firefighter himself had engaged in firehouse hazing.

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