NY 1

Lieutenant Howard Carpluk succumbed to his injuries this afternoon. Doctors at Montefiore Hospital had been trying to save his life since he was brought in Sunday afternoon.

Carpluk is the second member of the FDNY to die in the blaze.

Rookie Firefighter Michael Reilly, 25, died yesterday. Reilly was a former Marine who had served a tour of duty in Iraq. He'd been a member of the Fire Department for just four months.

Three other firefighters were injured after being trapped when the floor collapsed as they were fighting the blaze.

Battalion Chief Thomas Auer of Battalion 17, Lieutenant John Grasso of Engine 92, and Firefighter Wayne Walters of Engine 75 are listed in serious but stable condition.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it does not appear suspicious.

The fire marks the department's deadliest day since January of 2005, when two firefighters were killed in a fire in the Bronx, and another died the same day in a separate blaze in Brooklyn.

Funeral and wake arrangements have been announced for Firefighter Reilly. A wake will be held Wednesday and Thursday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., and again from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., at Van Emburgh Sneider Funeral Home in Ramsey, New Jersey.

The procession and funeral mass are set for this Friday, September 1st, at 10:30 a.m. at St Paul Roman Catholic Church, also in Ramsey.

NY1's Dean Meminger filed this report.

It's a time of sadness and broken hearts for New York City's Bravest, as they try to cope with the death of two of their own.

"They'll both be severely missed," one firefighter said Monday.

The firefighters crashed into the basement of a 99 cent store on Walton Avenue while battling a fire Sunday afternoon. They were trapped under debris, fire and smoke.

On Monday, Lieutenant Howard Carpluk, a 20-year veteran, became the second firefighter to lose his life to the blaze. He battled for a day to stay alive but could not overcome his injuries.

Twenty-five-year-old rookie Firefighter Michael Reilly died within hours of the collapse.

"Firefighters that were caught in the collapse were doing an aggressive interior attack searching for possible victims that may have been in the store," said FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations Robert Sweeney. "We're presently conducting a investigation to determine the cause of the floor collapse. We have the fire marshals, the FDNY Safety Command and the Buildings Department all cooperating attempting to determine the cause of the floor collapse."

A part of the problem: A large air conditioning system housed on top of the building crashed from the roof all the way to the basement during the fire, causing a huge hole in the floor where the firefighters were.

While investigators looked for answers, black and purple bunting was placed outside of Engine 75, where Firefighter Reilly was stationed. The same was done at Engine 42, where Lieutenant Carpluk worked.

Neighborhood residents expressed their condolences by putting up a makeshift memorial with candles and flowers outside of Engine 42.

"The firefighters are always doing things for these kids and the neighbors. You need any help, they are there for you any minute," said one area resident.

Reilly and Carpluk are the first firefighters to die in the line of duty since three firemen were killed one January day last year. On that "Black Sunday," two firefighters died battling a fire in the Bronx, the third died in a Brooklyn blaze.

This latest tragedy no doubt will also be remembered as a dark day in FDNY history.