NEW YORK, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Dozens of factors contributed to the fire that broke out during the 2007 demolition of a New York skyscraper that left two firefighters dead, a probe found.
For one, The New York Times said, the team of investigators determined contractors dismantling the former Deutsche Bank Building failed to obtain a formal demolition permit. They also found it took about 80 minutes for firefighters to start applying water when the fire broke out Aug. 18, 2007, in part because workers waited about 13 minutes to notify authorities and then provided inaccurate information about whether emergency equipment at the site was working.
Firefighters also had problems communicating with each other because their walkie-talkies didn't work properly, the report presented to fire union officials Wednesday revealed.
The report is to be given to Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau, whose office is conducting a criminal investigation into the deadly blaze.
