Falling Debris Injures Four at 130 Liberty St.

NEW YORK CITY-A section of scaffolding surrounding the Deutsche Bank skyscraper being dismantled at the World Trade Center site collapsed today, injuring two firefighters and two construction workers, officials said. Two firefighters died in a blaze at the same building last week. According to reports, a Fire Department spokesman said the scaffolding partially collapsed shortly before 2 p.m. The extent of the injuries are unknown at this time.

Meanwhile, the fire department’s Bureau of Fire Investigations continues to investigate the cause of Saturday’s fire at 130 Liberty St. Fire marshals have not yet reached any conclusions with respect to the cause of the fire at the former Deutsche Bank building. In addition to investigating the cause, BFI is also focusing on the building’s standpipe system, which was required by law to be maintained as the building was being demolished.

The FDNY Safety Command’s investigation into the deaths of firefighters Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino and the department’s response at the scene is also moving forward. According to a government release, commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta has directed that this investigation also examine why the department did not have a pre-fire plan for the building; a fire plan is currently being developed for 130 Liberty St. by the FDNY operations unit. The implementation plan for the deconstruction of the building and the contract between Bovis and the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. also required that a dry standpipe be maintained.