Sep 11, 2007 8:07 pm US/Eastern
Former FDNY Commish: Deutsche Bank A 'Death Trap'
EXCLUSIVE: Von Essen Says Department Partly At Fault
by Marcia Kramer
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
As New Yorkers remember the 9/11 terror attacks, there was startling criticism Tuesday about the role of the fire department played in the recent tragedy at the Deutsche Bank building.
The city's former fire commissioner, in an exclusive interview with CBS 2 HD, says the FDNY bears some responsibility.
"Somebody really dropped the ball," former FDNY Commissioner Thomas Von Essen said.
There was startling criticism Tuesday of FDNY policies that left the toxic Deutsche Bank building without a plan to fight fires, and startling support for one of the three commanders who were removed from their posts in the aftermath.
"The captain of the engine (company) probably had no ability to inspect that building it was so contaminated," Von Essen said.
Von Essen defended Capt. Peter Bosco, who was removed from command of Engine 10 after it was learned that the FDNY wasn't inspecting the building.
At the same time he claimed that people at the highest levels of the fire department had to know about the problems. He says Chief William Siegel, who wrote a smoking gun memo about the building in March 2006, had to have discussed it with top brass.
"I would imagine that he did tell other people," Von Essen said. "I think he was aware of how dangerous that building was. He made some people aware of it.
"That building was a death trap for the firefighters and they should have been made aware of it before they got in there."
All this comes as the ongoing five probes of the Deutsche Bank building continue.
Asked to comment on Von Essen's remarks, FDNY spokesman James Long said, "The department continues to investigate these issues."
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