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Ground Zero fire trial begins in New York

date added: 11.04.2011

The trial of three construction company officials in New York began this week, as Mitchel Alvo, Jeffrey Melofchik and Salvatore DePaola are charged with manslaughter following a 2007 fire at the former Deutsche Bank building at the World Trade Center site where two firefighters lost their lives.

The fire was allegedly started by a cigarette in the abatement containment area of the building while construction crews worked to clear the structure of asbestos and prepare for demolition. Adjacent to the World Trade Center site, the 42 storey high rise tower was damaged during the terrorist attacks in 2001.

A 42ft section of standpipe is said to have been removed which may have helped to quell the fire in August 2007 and is also thought to have kept firefighters from reaching the burning floors. Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia lost their lives in the blaze and tens of other workers sustained injuries.

Defense attorney Rich Pasacreta stated: "This is a case about the tragic death of two firefighters, but it's also about the failure of government agencies and the subsequent, tragic attempt to shift blame by those agencies."

Source: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/

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