Heads Roll in FDNY After Deadly Fire

(NEWSER) - Two firefighters died in a blaze that broke out this afternoon in a skyscraper being demolished at the edge of ground zero in Lower Manhattan. The fire broke out in the partially dismantled Deutsche Bank building, which had been vacant since 9/11, condemned because health officials ruled that it was too contaminated with toxic dust and debris to be renovated. More»

Water supply under scrutiny in deadly blaze near Ground Zero

(NEWSER) - A broken standpipe may have crippled the battle against Saturday's Deutsche Bank tower blaze near Ground Zero. Water filled the basement as flames on higher floors raged, the Times reports, and water from the hose connected to the suspect standpipe apparently didn't reach past the fifth floor. Firefighters spent precious minutes pulling hoses up the side of the building. More»

He's makes first trip as president as 'closure' for New York City

(NEWSER) - President Obama made his first visit to Ground Zero as president, a trip the White House views as "closure" for New York City in the wake of Osama bin Laden's killing, reports the Daily News . He first visited a firehouse that lost 15 firefighters on 9/11. "When we say we will never forget, we mean what we say," said Obama, who ate lunch with the squad. "You’re always going to have a president and an administration who’s got your back." The president then visited Ground Zero and laid a memorial wreath. He also met privately with family members of 9/11 victims. More»

Fire rips through building with 70 apartments

(NEWSER) - A five-alarm fire ripped through a Brooklyn apartment building last night, leaving one resident dead, 100 homeless, and injuring more than 20 firefighters as some 200 of them battled the blaze in high winds, reports the New York Post. The fire broke out just before 7pm, but wasn't brought under control until early this morning. The building had about 70 apartments. One man said he helped a neighbor and his toddler escape through a window: "The guy came through the window . . . he had nothing. I gave him shoes, a coat, and a sweater." More»

Scaffolding falls from structure where firefighters perished

(NEWSER) - Two New York firefighters were injured today by scaffolding falling from the Deutsche Bank building near ground zero, the AP reports. The incident came less than a week after a fire at the skyscraper across the street from the World Trade Center site claimed the lives of two other firefighters. WNBC reports that today's victims sustained serious head injuries. More»