It was all a jumble, a chaotic mess. We ran hoses from the truck, to any available hydrant. Lieu told us what to do, but so many were yelling it was difficult to hear. I ended up partnered with someone I didn't know that was new to the other shift, and we ran into Building #2 and made our way up, as other firefighters escorted lines of people out. We moved to the 15th floor, and looked for anyone that was hurt or in trouble. Not seeing anyone we went higher. As we went, firefighter yelled what floors were cleared and we moved further up to the 28th floor. We stopped before we looked towards the elevator and heard people screaming from a distance, almost inaudible. the new guy and I looked at each other and moved for the elevator, trying to open it, I felt something, something that was all too real for me, the searing heat of metal near fire. I screamed for the people to hold on, then it happened. We heard the elevator screech and then slide by the floor we were on followed by a rush of hot Smokey air from the shaft. I got thrown back, my eyes burned, I think I got smoke in them. I moved to sit up and saw someone. She was a woman in her 30's, Caucasian, hiding under a desk in some law office. I crawled to her and looked her over, and told her everything would be ok.
We made it out the doors, and I smelled the fresh air of the streets of Lower Manhattan. I ran her to the nearest medics and looked for my partner, he was running behind me. I rubbed my eyes, ready to tear them out, but looked up at the building, grabbing my partner and running towards the entrance. I radioed Lieu, telling him I had recovered a female, and was heading back in. We were at the front doors, running in as we heard him tell us to evacuate. We heard the trucks blare the alarm to evacuate and nodded, moving away, not running, since we were so tired and I could barely see from the stinging in my eyes. We were just at the entrance when we looked up in time to heard a loud banging. My stinging eyes widened as I realized the building was falling in on itself. Grabbing my partner we ran. Something hit me and all went black.
We made it out the doors, and I smelled the fresh air of the streets of Lower Manhattan. I ran her to the nearest medics and looked for my partner, he was running behind me. I rubbed my eyes, ready to tear them out, but looked up at the building, grabbing my partner and running towards the entrance. I radioed Lieu, telling him I had recovered a female, and was heading back in. We were at the front doors, running in as we heard him tell us to evacuate. We heard the trucks blare the alarm to evacuate and nodded, moving away, not running, since we were so tired and I could barely see from the stinging in my eyes. We were just at the entrance when we looked up in time to heard a loud banging. My stinging eyes widened as I realized the building was falling in on itself. Grabbing my partner we ran. Something hit me and all went black.