Arsonists Set Fire at chapel for 9/11 Victims: Authorities
Remains not damaged
Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 | Updated 4:30 PM EDT
Mario Tama/Getty Images
The remains of the unidentified victims will eventually be moved to a permanent memorial at Ground Zero.
Authorities are investigating a small fire at the temporary home for the remains of thousands of World Trade Center victims.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg says the smoldering fire in a section of the facility's chapel appeared to have been set intentionally.
"Anyone who would set fire to the inviolable Memorial Park chapel is craven and contemptible," Bloomberg said in a statement. "Fire Marshals and Police will investigate this aggressively and bring whoever is responsible to justice."
Firefighters got a call at about 9 a.m. Saturday to respond to Memorial Park, a weatherproof tent on Manhattan's East Side where the city is storing the remains of 9/11 victims who have yet to be identified. The remains will eventually be moved to the permanent memorial at Ground Zero.
The fire damaged a wooden bench and mementos honoring the dead. The remains were not damaged.
Fire marshals and police are investigating.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC New York
