Lying in bed with the flu, I turned the scanner on as always. Reports come over the air of hostage situation in Harlem on 125th Street. Soon reports were coming in of a fire ripping through the building in rapid fashion. Living on Horatio and West Streets in the West Village, I had no time to waste. Quick change, grab the equipment, hmmmm take a cab or jump the A Train. Decisions, decisions. Decision made! Jump on the train. Train is delayed, wrong decision. By the time I arrive, fire already being put out, bodies of victims to be pulled out soon. Having made it to a rooftop across the street only to be told by an NYPD Aviation unit to get down to street level pronto, I decided to not go for the body bag shot, considering I was already blocked out of position for a solid shot, considering a ton of photogs had already arrived on the scene. This is where patience and a sixth sense about police work always paid off for me. A couple of hours later 3 members of ESU Truck 2 were walking back to their truck, and something reminiscent of a scene from the Wild Wild West appeared right before my eyes. By the way anyone who knows me could already tell you...yes I tried to wave off the chopper with my press credentials in hand. Can't blame a guy for trying! On a more important note God Bless the 7 people who lost their lives in this horrible horrible massacre. RIP!
