by Lionel Bascom — August 22nd, 2007 — 1 comment
The China People’s Daily reports that the contractors responsible for the demolition of the Deutsche Bank building in Manhattan may face charges of criminally negligent homicide after investigators found that faulty water pipes led to the death of two firefighters.
The New York Fire Department on Tuesday accused the construction company dismantling the building for failing to maintain a standpipe that was supposed to deliver water to firefighters battling Saturday’s seven-alarm fire.
The city said the standpipe had been disconnected and a piece of the pipe was lying on the floor. That forced firefighters to haul hoses up the side of the building using ropes.
Thousands of gallons of water ended up being dumped directly into the building’s slab-concrete basement while firefighters stranded with empty hose lines on upper floors were encircled by black smoke from above and below.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office said Tuesday that it will launch a criminal investigation into Saturday’s deadly fire.
Officials from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, which owned the building, said they are still trying to figure out what happened.
Both Bovis Lend Lease, the contractor overseeing the entire project, and the John Galt Corporation, the subcontractor in charge of the demolition, declined to comment on the incident until the Fire Department completes its investigation.
Robert Beddia, 53, of Staten Island and Joseph Graffagnino, 33, of Brooklyn died from the blaze after suffering severe smoke inhalation and going into cardiac arrest.
Graffagnino was remembered by city officials and community members Tuesday at his wake. His funeral is set for Thursday morning at Saint Ephrem’s Church on the Bay Ridge Parkway in Brooklyn.
The funeral of Firefighter Beddia was scheduled for Friday morning at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.
10:15 PM in Uncategorized, The Construction, World Trade Center, Ground Zero, Related Stories, Neighbourhood
When those involved with business deals choose partners who have superficial intentions, only negative results ensue.
It’s about time that every facet of this country’s infrastructure begin to demonstrate intelligence in choosing associates. Accountability must prevail.
The new academic school year is about to begin, and educators on every level must use this opportunity to impress upon the consciousness of their students the necessity for accountability in every aspect of their lives.
We all need to set aside time to think, just think, in order to open our minds and to clarify our thoughts.
When this nation recognizes the value of wisdom and intelligence, we will begin to see quality in our economic, educational and creative endeavors. We do not need any more heart break at the hands of fools.
Jeanne · August 22nd, 2007 at 11:26 pm