Two FDNY Firefighters Killed in
High-Rise Fire Near World Trade Center

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It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty deaths of two members of IAFF Local 94 – New York City, New York. Fire Fighters Robert Beddia, 53 and Joseph Graffagnino, 34, both assigned to Engine 24 / Ladder 5, were trying to reach and put out a fire, which started on the 17th floor of the Deutsche Bank Office Building, Saturday evening. The building, adjacent to Ground Zero in lower Manhattan, was vacant and being demolished. The viewing for Brother Graffagnino will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 21-22, 2007 from 2:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Torregrossa & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 79th Street, Brooklyn, New York; (718) 232-8844. The funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ephrems Roman Catholic Church, 935 Bay Ridge Parkway (75th Street), Brooklyn, New York; (718) 833-1555. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. The viewing for Brother Beddia will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, August 22-23, 2007 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, New York; (718) 442-5056. The funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 24, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, East 50th Street & 5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York. Expressions of sympathy or condolences can be sent to Local 94 at 204 E. 23rd Street, New York 10010-4628.