Boston's fire chief resigns amid criticism over handling of bombing

Boston Fire Chief Steve Abraira poses for a photo at a fire station in Boston. (AP)

Boston's fire chief is resigning, citing criticism from deputies for his response to the marathon bombings.

In a letter dated Monday, Chief Steve Abraira says his resignation is effective Friday.

Thirteen deputies had complained to Mayor Tom Menino in a letter that Abraira's failure to take command of the bombing scene was indefensible and part of a pattern of shirking leadership.

Abraira says those "baseless attacks" compelled him to step down. He says they have made it impossible for him to do his job.

He says his command staff had control of the bombing scene and he acted appropriately.

Abraira says he had difficulty getting support in the department because was hired from the outside in 2011.

Deputy Chief John Hasson has been named acting chief. He's among those who signed the April letter.

Abraira, the city's first Hispanic chief, was also the first hired from outside the department's own union. He previously led the Dallas department and was an assistant chief in Miami.

Abraira thanked Menino and Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser for their backing. Fraser had expressed confidence in his entire command staff, including Abraira. And a Menino spokeswoman had said the mayor had "full confidence in Commissioner Fraser to do what's best for the department," including his personnel decisions.