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American Morning

Father's Day Blaze Claims Three Firefighters in New York

Aired June 18, 2001 - 09:01   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to start in the Northeast, where flooding and flames have combined for deadly results. At least four people have been killed in suburban Philadelphia in a fire linked to flooding from remnants of Tropical Storm Allison.

And in New York City, three firefighters were killed in the line of duty in a Father's Day tragedy. All three were fathers.

We have a report from Emily Francis. She's with our CNN affiliate WPIX.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

EMILY FRANCIS, WPIX-TV REPORTER (voice-over): What could have been an ecstatic Father's Day for over 300 Queens firefighters, instead, turned into a day of mourning.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've never seen anything like it, you know, that's why -- it's sad. It really is, especially on Father's Day. Now I'm sure these firemen are fire -- you know, fathers, also, and they carried a lot of them away.

FRANCIS: The men and women of Rescue 4, Ladder 163 were called to what appeared to be a routine fire at a hardware store. When they tried to secure the interior of the Long Island General Supply Company, the entire building exploded. Fifty-year-old Harry Ford of Long Beach and 40-year-old John Downing were crushed to death when the roof and facade crashed down on them. Forty-six-year-old Brian Fahey of East Rockaway was killed after being trapped inside for several hours. A fourth firefighter, 41-year old Joseph Vosilla, is fighting for his life in critical condition. All of them are married with children.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel, you know, like this is my family, too, you know, because they got -- they love this life of me, you know, because they are just like my family. I feel bad.

FRANCIS: Immediately following the blast, Astoria Boulevard looked like a war zone. Firefighters and rescue workers scrambling to pull everyone out of the rubble and get them to safety at Elmhurst hospital. Over 50 firefighters, 5 police officers and 2 civilians were injured.

RUDY GIULIANI, MAYOR OF NEW YORK: And if it weren't for the way in which our firefighters are so brave, who knows what kind of civilian injuries we would have. So I think it gives us a chance to pause and express our gratitude to them.

FRANCIS: These brave men were the second, third and fourth firefighters to die in the line of duty this year.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They should be paid big, big bucks because they deserve every penny of it. It's a shame. They don't get paid enough for what they do.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And that report coming to us from Emily Francis from our affiliate WPIX.

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