The discovery of Firefighter Jackson's body, which will be autopsied, appeared to increase the pace of work at the building, which went on throughout the weekend and will continue today. The firefighters raced to the top floor, but quickly became disoriented and then trapped as the fire intensified. When they called for help, a group of 30 to 40 firefighters went in to look for them. Heavy smoke and the by now white heat of the fire, however, led to an order from command officers to get out of the building. The initial two firefighters and four from the larger crew never made it.
Investigators continue to the label the origin of the fire as suspicious.
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said late last night that there was no evidence the fire started in separate areas of the warehouse, though city fire officials previously had said it appeared to have begun in distinct locations. Fire Marshal Coan declined to say whether an accelerant had been found in or near the building. Two homeless people known to have taken shelter in the old warehouse have been questioned by authorities, one fire investigator said. Their identities and what they said were not revealed. District Chief Callery said the recovery efforts and the fire investigation were occurring simultaneously.