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CNN Live Today

Firefighters' Remains Mourned at Ground Zero

Aired March 13, 2002 - 13:39   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Six months later, hopes of closure still remain for families who lost victims in the World Trade Center attacks, and the remains of 13 more found at ground zero yesterday, including 11 firefighters -- at least two assigned to Ladder Company Four.

Jason Carroll is outside that firehouse midtown Manhattan, with more reaction today. Here is Jason.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This firehouse in midtown Manhattan actually houses Engine Company 54 and Ladder Company Number Four. You can see here in the front there are flowers and candles here. People have been bringing these by for months for the firefighters that are out here.

The firefighters who are here have been saying all along that they believe many of those who died on September 11, in terms of the firefighters, will probably be found somewhere beneath the South Tower; that was the first tower that collapsed during the World Trade Center disaster.

Yesterday, the crews that are down at ground zero were finally able to make their way over to what used to be the lobby area of the South Tower, and that's where they found the remains of 11 firefighters and two civilians. It is believed at least two of the firefighters whose remains were recovered came from Ladder Company Number Four.

The crews down at ground zero draped flags over the remains. The firefighters lined up as the remains were brought out, and they saluted as that happened. That is the standard ceremony in terms of what happens down at ground zero whenever the remains of firefighter or a police officer are found. That is the ceremony that takes place down there at ground zero.

Back up here at Ladder Company Number Four, I had an opportunity to speak with one of the firefighters as he came out this morning, and I asked him if he would care to speak to us about what has been going on at ground zero. And he said right now it is just too soon.

The men here definitely want the remains to be found because it brings closure for the families, it brings closure for the firehouse out here. But each time the remains are found, it forces the people here to relive what happened on September 11 all over again.

Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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