What's Behind That Firefighter Plaque on Lankershim Blvd?

There’s a plaque on the building at 5300 Lankershim Boulevard at the corner of Weddington to commemorate firefighter Thomas G. Taylor.

On Jan. 28, 1981 at the same corner, Taylor was killed trying to put out the fire at Cugee’s Restaurant of North Hollywood that was at the site. Four firefighters from Truck 60 were cutting a hole in the roof when it collapsed, and Taylor fell to his death as three others clung above the flames and were saved.

The fire was set by Mario Catanio, who was paid $2,500 by the restaurant’s owners to set fire to their failing business. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Last December, after 31 years, the State Parole Board was going to release Catanio, but Gov. Jerry Brown overruled the decision and ordered the now 71-year-old to stay in prison.

"We applaud Governor Brown for not only making the correct decision, but for his on-going personal communication with UFLAC regarding this important issue,” said Capt. Frank Líma, President of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) - IAFF Local 112. “Mario Catanio was convicted of murder and burglary and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for setting the fire that killed Taylor, who at the time had eight years with the LAFD. While arsonist Catanio is now 71, he is still a danger to society today.  He has never said he's sorry, never apologized, and has never shown any remorse."

Read details of the incident from the LAFD here.