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With the cause of the Bronx fire that killed two firefighters this weekend still under investigation, some of New York City's Bravest remembered their fallen colleagues Tuesday at a special memorial service. Engine 42's firehouse was adorned with ceremonial bunting Tuesday morning to honor Lieutenant Howard Carpluk. He died Monday from injuries received while fighting a fire at a 99 cent store in the Concourse section of the Bronx on Sunday. Carpluk was a 20-year veteran of the department who was working an extra shift Sunday at another firehouse. Fellow firefighters say Carpluk was always someone they could depend on. "If we fireman are trapped, that's a dreaded moment for us," said FDNY Lt. Steven Wall. "And we like to say, a measure of a fireman is if you're trapped and you want someone coming to get you, Howie Carpluk would be the man to come and get you." Carpluk and 25-year-old Michael Reilly died after falling through the floor of the burning building into the basement. Two other firefighters remain hospitalized with injuries sustained in the blaze. Reilly, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq, was a rookie who had only been on the job for four months. His wake will be held Wednesday and Thursday at Van Emburgh Sneider Funeral Home in Ramsey, New Jersey. A procession and funeral mass for Reilly are set for Friday morning at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, also in Ramsey. Lieutenant Carpluk will be laid to rest on Saturday, although the time and place of the funeral has not yet been disclosed.
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