New fire recruits could be hired

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - News 4 is learning more Monday night about what happened inside the Buffalo delicatessen where Lieutenant Charles McCarthy and firefighter Jonathan Croom lost their lives one week ago.

City officials say the deli building on Genesee Street had passed a recent city inspection. But last Monday's fire weakened the beams holding up the floor, just as Lieutenant Charles McCarthy and Firefighter Jonathan Croom had reaching that particular spot, looking for a victim that wasn't there.

"So it was the failure caused by the fire of the beams in the flooring that caused the flooring to cave in," said Jim Comerford, Deputy Commissioner of Permits and Inspection. "The weight of the crew as well."

News 4 has also learned that a voice, originally thought to becoming from a person trapped inside the building, may have actually been voices shouting on the street, unrelated to the fire.

"It's quite possible," said Fire Marshal George Arthur, Junior. "We have one report that a gentleman who lived nearby upstairs he heard people arguing outside prior to that."

Investigators also believe that knocking sounds in the basement could have come from materials such as aerosol cans that ignited and hit the wall.

Federal investigators from OSHA are expected to join the investigation on Tuesday.

Workers who are securing the adjoining building say they've been approached by the deli owner about rebuilding.

In the meantime, 55 new fire recruits for the city could be hired in the coming weeks. The department has interviewed about 140 people for the positions. The city has not hired new firefighters in seven years.