ATF finished processing York fire that killed 2 firefighters
ATF investigators sift through the rubble of the former Weaver Organ and Piano building Sunday morning. (Photo: Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record)
(York) — Federal investigators who arrived in York last week intent on determining the cause and origin of a fire that killed two York City firefighters finished processing the fire scene Thursday.
Charlene Hennessy, special agent and public information officer for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Philadelphia field office, said early Thursday evening that the National Response Team that arrived in York last Friday and Saturday finished their work at the old Weaver piano factory, but the cause and origin are not yet known.
“… the investigation into where and how this fire started is still ongoing,” Hennessy said by email. She said a final “out-briefing,” where more information about the ATF’s investigation will be provided, is scheduled for Friday afternoon. AÂ specific time and place for the briefing hadn’t been decided Thursday evening.
After the final briefing, the investigation will be transferred from the National Response Team to the agents in the ATF’s Harrisburg Field Office, the York City Police Department, the York City Fire Department and Pennsylvania State Police, Hennessy said.Â
Fire broke out at the former Weaver Organ and Piano Factory, 127 N. Broad St., on Wednesday, March 21, during a snow storm. Firefighters worked through the night to knock down the fire. The following day, York City firefighters Zachary Anthony, 29, of York, and Ivan Flanscha, 50, of Red Lion, and Assistant Chief Greg Altland, 52, and firefighter Erik Swanson, 50, were on the fourth floor of the building extinguishing remnants of the fire when the floor collapsed.
ATF investigators watch the bucket of heavy equipment as is sifts through the rubble of the fire scene of the former Weaver Organ and Piano building Sunday morning. Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record
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Flanscha and Anthony died from injuries they suffered in the collapse. A memorial service held for the men on Wednesday drew thousands of people.
As York mourns the death of two firefighters who died fighting a fire at the Weaver Organ and Piano Co. building, Lancaster County’s Mark Herr plays a tribute on a restored a Weaver Organ. Joel Shannon, York Daily Record
Which agency investigates the deaths of Flanscha and Anthony is contingent upon what the ATF officially determines caused the fire, York City Police Interim Chief Troy Bankert said Monday.
“If it’s determined to be arson, the police department will investigate with the assistance of the ATF,” Bankert said. “If it is not criminal, the fire department does an internal investigation into the deaths of their employees.”
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
