Tragedy in the Bronx

[Asysin2leads]

An inferno in a Bronx 99-cent store killed a probationary firefighter yesterday and critically injured a decorated lieutenant after a catastrophic floor collapse trapped the duo and three other Bravest in a smoky hell for nearly an hour.

Michael Reilly, 25, a Marine who served in Iraq and realized his dream of joining the FDNY just last month, died after tumbling with colleagues into a basement when an air conditioning unit plunged through a burn.ing roof and through the ground floor.

For an agonizing hour, rescue workers from across the city desperately struggled to reach Reilly, of Engine Co. 75, and his colleagues. But it was too late to save the probie.

"He did what he wanted to do and made a difference, whether it was defending the country in Iraq or defending our lives here on the streets of New York City," a somber Mayor Bloomberg said of Reilly last night.

Lt. Howard Carpluk, a twice-decorated 20-year FDNY vet, was clinging to life last night after he was pulled out of the basement of the burning Mount Eden building.

Doctors (EMS, actually) managed to revive Carpluk after he arrived at the hospital in cardiac arrest. But sources said he was in dire condition and on a ventilator.

Bloomberg asked New Yorkers to pray for the family of Reilly and for Carpluk's recovery.

It was the worst tragedy to hit the FDNY since the two Black Sunday blazes on Jan. 23, 2005, that killed three firefighters.

One of those fires, in which two firefighters plunged to their deaths from a burning apartment building, took place on E. 178th St., barely a half-mile from yesterday's tragedy.

The blaze at the Mega 99 Cent store on Walton Ave. started behind a refrigerator around 12:30 p.m., and officials said it did not appear to be suspicious.

Shopkeeper Anis Shaibi said he tried to douse the fire with a fire extinguisher, but fled with his workers when the fridge's glass door blew out and flames shot up toward the ceiling.

Firefighters quick.ly raised a second alarm at 12:38 p.m., and a third alarm was called 30 minutes later.

"We saw the fire expanding so quick and stuff falling from the ceiling," Shaibi said.

Firefighters raced to the store and rushed inside to search for possible victims after determining that there were no flames below them, Bloomberg said.

Reilly, Carpluk and the others were directing a hose onto the fire, but the worst danger was above them on the roof, where a large air conditioning unit sat.

With flames licking at the roof, the unit came crashing through the roof and the ground floor - creating a hole that swallowed the firefighters, sources and witnesses said.

"It fell through the roof and the roof went with it," said Jashira Abreu, 25, who watched in horror from her apartment across the street.

In a flash, the five firefighters were trapped in mounds of debris and rubble, surrounded by smoke and flames. "I just kept praying for them," Abreu said.

The firefighters quickly issued Mayday distress calls, drawing more than 130 Bravest, as well as ambulances and other rescue workers from across the city.

Smoke billowed out of the dingy one-story building, which also houses money transfer and cell phone businesses.

Even as torrential rain pelted them, scores of soot-covered firefighters swarmed the building as rescuers tried to reach the trapped men.

It was a race against time because firefighters are equipped with oxygen canisters that generally last for about 40 minutes. Three of the firefighters were rescued before their air ran out.

But it was harder to get to Reilly and Carpluk.

"They knew where they were, they just had a lot of debris," said a top rescue official. "The last two, it took a lot of time to get to them."

The first men to get help were Thomas Auer, 47, of Battalion 17; John Grasso, 45, of Engine 92, and Wayne Walters, 30, of .Engine 75. They were taken to Jacobi Medical Center, where they were all listed in serious but stable condition.

"He's okay," said Walters' relieved father-in-law, Frank McKenna.

But Reilly and Carpluk were in far graver condition when they were rushed to nearby Bronx-Lebanon Hospital.

Reilly, a Marine Corps veteran who served a tour of duty in Iraq, was pronounced dead at 3:17 p.m. Doctors said they believed Reilly, who was in cardiac arrest when he arrived at the hospital, did not die from burns or smoke inhalation.

Carpluk was transferred to Montefiore Medical Center, where doctors were desperately working to save him as family and firefighters kept vigil.

Back at the scene of the fire, huge klieg lights shone down as fire marshals inspected the still-smoking ruins.

Sources said investigators were looking at whether the store was illegally subdivided and whether there were pre-existing structural problems.

"To see it all burn up, it really hurts a lot," Shaibi said. "It's sad."

I posted a picture relating to this in the gallery (the guys in the orange helmets are FDNY EMS), the look on the one firefighters face in the background says it all. Several of the units from my station responded to this call, and the combined rescue efforts of police, fire, and EMS were truly heroic. As of this writing, Lt. Carpluk has succumbed to his injuries. May God bless the lost and help their families with the pain they are feeling right now.

[Kountess]

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of both men.[/font:a35170851a]

[itku2er]

Thanks for sharing this asys it was a tragic story makes us all thankful we live another day cause we never know when it is gonna be the last one. My thoughts and prayes go to the families and the dept as well

[cajunparamedic1]

Semper Fidelis

Probationary FF Reilly and Lt Carpluk my prayers are with you and your families.

Again the Lord calls one home.

[weasel 108]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the probationary firefighter and Lieutenant of FDNY,their family, friends,and fellow firefighters.

[epi-do]

How tragic. My thoughts and prayers will definitely be with the friends, families, and co-workers of FF Reilly and Lt. Carpluk.

[medic429]

thougts and prayers to all of those involved, and touched by, this tragedy...

[polkpeaches]

PSALM 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.

May the lord be with the family of both firefighters, and may angels be with their fellow firefighters.

[AnatomyChick]

My Heart goes out to the families affected, and their Fire Service Brothers. It's never easy when God calls one of our own home... all we can do is continue to stay safe, and offer prayers up for their peace.

Jo