Dylan Johnson/AP
A massive fire has swept through the Flight 93 National Memorial Park, badly damaging two buildings near the 9/11 memorial's grounds, a National Park Service spokesman said.
Two of the headquarter buildings belonging to the Shanksville, Pa., memorial have suffered 'extensive damage,' said Mike Litterst with the National Park Service.
The actual memorial and new visitors center, which is still under construction - located 2 to 3 miles away - is said to be unharmed.
As of 5 p.m. firefighters were still working to put out the blaze, first reported at 3 p.m., and its cause remains unknown, said Litterst.
Dylan Johnson/AP
There have been no known injuries and the park's staff has been evacuated, he said.
The memorial in Shanksville marks the spot where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The plane, which was traveling from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco, went down in a reclaimed strip mine after passengers fought back against its hijackers. All 33 passengers and seven crew members were killed along with the hijackers.
A memorial plaza was completed in time for the 10th anniversary of the attacks in 2011. It features a white stone wall with separate panels for each victim, with one name engraved on each.
Mandel Ngan/AP
The wall traces the path of the doomed flight. The wall and 40 groves of 40 trees are ways to focus attention on the crash site and the victims' memories.
Officials have said they hope construction of the visitors center will be finished by June. That would give park officials three months to install exhibits in time to open for the 14th anniversary of the crash.
With News Wire Services
ngolgowski@nydailynews.com
Posted by Unknown on Friday, October 3, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
0 comments "Fire burns several buildings at Flight 93 National Memorial"
Post a Comment