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CNN Live Today
America Under Attack: Buildings Around World Trade Center In Danger of Collapsing
Aired September 13, 2001 - 15:43 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.
AARON BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: The principal things that we are watching right now down by the Trade Center -- we are keeping an eye on two buildings, One Liberty Plaza, the building we've talked an awful lot about over the last 24 hours. There's enormous concern now that this 60-story building roughly, this 60-story building could be in danger of collapsing. One Liberty Plaza is to the east of the World Trade Center.
On the other side of the Trade Centers, on the west side, almost all the way to the West Side Highway, which is a staging area, we are also keeping an eye on the American Express building as well. This is the building that houses American Express obviously, Lehman Brothers. It's been used as a triage center since Tuesday. It has been used as a morgue.
We saw some smoke coming out of the building earlier. We had reports from our colleagues as they were being evacuated from the area that there was some listing of the building. None of this suggests that these things are going to collapse, but obviously there is a concern that they might. And that concern has just been one more problem that investigators have to deal with and rescue teams have to deal with.
Let me go down to Martin Savidge who has a much closer view than I right now, of both the search and rescue operation and the concern about these buildings. Martin, do you have an update for us?
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, a couple of points we can update you on. When you mentioned the weather, that has been a factor that has been of great concern for the rescuers here. Despite the effort to try to find survivors here, there has also been a very strong effort to take into account the deteriorating weather. They have been working to get the tremendous number of supplies and equipment they had out in the open here under some sort cover in anticipation of that.
Regarding the buildings: The concern is still there. However, they have backed off of that evacuation order, or at least on the work side itself. What they did was when they thought the threat may be imminent of collapse, they moved or repositioned the rescuers. They stressed that they did not bring it all to a halt, but simply moved them out of what they thought was immediate harm's way. And then, the big news of the rescue story today, the discovery of a firefighting vehicle, a Chevy Suburban actually, buried under material, finally uncovered. That was a surprise when they opened the door and three of five firefighters stepped out. Reportedly, two others had to be carried out, but the word is that there were five firefighters that were found alive after literally being entombed in the debris of the World Trade Center for two days.
So, those are the circumstances we continue to monitor here. It's a good news/bad news scenario. But of course, it has played out against the very tragic backdrop -- Aaron.
BROWN: Martin, we saw just a few moments ago, in fact, pictures of those firefighters being brought to St. Vincent. We saw one of the guys walking, had an IV bag. We assume it's a dehydration issue. But to just simply see them alive means an enormous amount. I suspect it means an enormous amount more to Sharon Cole, who joins us.
Sharon's boyfriend is a New York City firefighter and he is missing. It's good of you to be here. I have done enough of these to know in the last several days that none of the questions I ask is easy and none of the answers are either, but do the best you can. Tell me -- tell me what the last few days have been like?
SHARON COLE, FIREFIGHTER BOYFRIEND MISSING: Like hell. It's been quite hectic. We have a 6-year-old son, and he asks for his dad. And I really don't know what to say to him.
BROWN: What can you possibly say? He must be terrified.
COLE: Yes, he is. He believes that his dad is coming home. But what if he don't?
BROWN: Sharon, I want you to tell me about your guy here. I can't see it as well as you. Tell me his name.
COLE: His name is Keith Ray Maynard (ph).
BROWN: And how old is he, how old is Keith?
COLE: 30 years old.
BROWN: How long has he been a firefighter? There you go. How long has he been a firefighter?
COLE: Almost three years now.
BROWN: I got you. I'm sorry. It's been almost three years. There we go, thank you guys very much. Tell me about him. What kind of a guy is he?
COLE: He is a very conscientious person. He has a good heart, honest, willing to do anything for anybody. You know, he is a good friend to have. You know, he has been so helpful to everyone. He would go to the last and be there for anybody and do anything for anyone. BROWN: And when did you last see him, Tuesday morning?
COLE: Tuesday morning.
BROWN: And kissed you good-bye and walked out the door?
COLE: The funniest thing, he wanted me to go and vote, because I was going to school.
BROWN: Tuesday, for those of you who don't remember -- Tuesday seems to all of us a long time ago, must seem like a lifetime ago to you. Tuesday was election day in New York City, primary elections for mayor and city offices, and he told you to go vote?
COLE: Yes.
BROWN: And he had walked out the door like that 1,000 times?
COLE: He was very happy when he left. He was singing, you know, being very happy. We had no idea what was going to happen.
BROWN: And in all these other times he walked out the door, were you afraid?
COLE: Never.
BROWN: Never thought there was a risk in what he did?
COLE: At first. But I got good some advice from my mom and his mom, you know. He has a passion for it, and the most we can do is just, you know, leave it in God's hands.
BROWN: When you heard of the rescue today, did your heart jump?
COLE: Yes. I thought he would have been one of the five. And I know if he was one of the five that walked out, I mean, the first thing he would have done is call home to let them know, let us know that, you know, he is alive.
BROWN: Are you getting all the help that you need? Are you getting -- the fire department, as is probably true in every city, certainly true in this city, is an extraordinary brotherhood, and they take care of their own in a very rich and wonderful way. Are you getting the support you need?
COLE: Yes.
BROWN: And is the city keeping you abreast of what is going on?
COLE: Yes, they do. They keep the family abreast.
BROWN: Is there anything any of us, anyone here can do that can be helpful, other than just to keep you in our thoughts?
COLE: Keep us in your thoughts. BROWN: There are, like Mr. Maynard (ph), a couple of hundred firefighters lost there. Everyone of them, we suspect, has a Sharon or someone in their lives and they're certainly in our thoughts today.
COLE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
BROWN: Thanks for coming in. I know how hard -- well, that's ridiculous. I don't know how hard this is. I can only imagine how hard this is, and I appreciate you're coming to talk to us. It helps I think all of us understand that while buildings can be rebuilt, ultimately this is about people and their lives and what's changed. Thank you.
COLE: You're welcome.
BROWN: Sharon Cole, how many Sharons are out there around the country. I need a second. We're OK.
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