FDNY LODDs

Sad news, as always, when these things occur:

FATAL BLAZE TRAPS BRAVEST
1 KILLED, 1 CRUSHED IN BRONX COLLAPSE

By STEVE DUNLEAVY, LARRY CELONA and BRIGITTE WILLIAMS

August 28, 2006 -- A rookie firefighter battling an inferno in a Bronx store was killed and his lieutenant nearly crushed to death yesterday when the floor collapsed beneath them - plunging them into the basement and burying them in flaming chunks of the building.

It was the FDNY's darkest day since Black Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005, when two firefighters died and four were critically hurt in two separate blazes.

Michael Reilly, 25, yesterday became the first city firefighter to die in the line of duty since then.

In addition to Reilly and his lieutenant, three other firefighters crashed into the basement. All five remained trapped for a terrifying hour and a half - as the air in their tanks began running out - covered in rubble that had been the floor and shelves of the 99-cent store.

While not reported in this story, FF Lt. Howard Carpluk as died from the extent of his injuries, Also, Michael Reilly was a Sgt. in the NY USMC Reserve! (Semper Fi, bro!)