Lieutenant Howard Carpluk, Jr. FDNY

[E229Lt]

August 28, 2006

A 20-year veteran of the fire department died this afternoon after being critically injured in a store fire in the Bronx that also killed a rookie firefighter Sunday.

Lieutenant Howard Carpluk, Jr. succumbed to his injuries. Doctors at Montefiore Hospital had been trying to save his life since he was brought in Sunday afternoon.

He is the second member of the department die in the blaze.

Rookie firefighter Michael Reilly, 25, died yesterday. Reilly was a former Marine who had served a tour of duty in Iraq. He'd been a member of the fire department for just four months.

Three other firefighters were injured after being trapped when the floor collapsed as they were fighting the blaze.

Battalion Chief Thomas Auer of Battalion 17, Lieutenant John Grasso of Engine 92, and Firefighter Wayne Walters of Engine 75 are listed in serious, but stable condition.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it does not appear suspicious.

The fire marks the departments deadliest day since January of last year when three firefighters were killed in two separate fires, one in the Bronx and another in Brooklyn.

[LuckyThirteen]

Rest In Peace Lieutenant. Prayers go out to his family.

-Tom Warshaw

[NYSmokey]

RIP Lt Carpluk. May God watch over your family.

[NJFFSA16]

Rest in peace brother. You shall be missed by the entire firefighting community! NJ

[Roxy182602]

Deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Lt. Carpluk
RIP

[E40FDNYL35]

Rest in Peace Lt. Howard Carpluk and FF Mike Reilly