Prosecution calls last witness at 'Black Sunday' trial

Jurors in the ?Black Sunday? trial heard an emotional testimony Thursday from another firefighter who survived the 2005 blaze that killed two of his co-workers. Eugene Stolowski says the injuries from

News 12 Staff

May 27, 2014, 9:45 PM

Updated 3,611 days ago

Share:

Prosecution calls last witness at 'Black Sunday' trial
Jurors in the ?Black Sunday? trial heard an emotional testimony Thursday from another firefighter who survived the 2005 blaze that killed two of his co-workers.
Eugene Stolowski says the injuries from the four-story fall still pain him every day. More than three years after the accident, the 37-year-old retired firefighter says he has difficulty walking and turning his head.
A fast-moving electrical fire quickly burned though the third-floor ceiling and spread to the fourth floor, incinerating walls. Stolowski says the flames completely blindsided him and the force of the heat threw him against the window.
"I went from standing in that apartment to jumping out that window in about two seconds," Stolowski said.
Prosecutors say tenants built an illegal partition inside their apartment, which blocked access to the fire escape, forcing Stolowski and five other firefighters to jump in an attempt to escape the blaze. Lt. Curtis Meyran and John Bellew did not survive the fall.
Fighting back tears at the witness stand, Stolowski recalled the moment before he and Meyran jumped out the window.
"We knew that this was it," he says. "And Meyran, at that point, he knew too."
Surviving firefighter testifies in 'Black Sunday' trial Jurors hear radio transmissions in 'Black Sunday' trialTestimony continues in 'Black Sunday' trial Defendants in 'Black Sunday' case go on trial Tenant: 'Black Sunday' repeat possible at building


More from News 12
0:44
Ex-Mount Hope supervisor released from prison after guilty plea in child sex case and ‘judicial error’

Ex-Mount Hope supervisor released from prison after guilty plea in child sex case and ‘judicial error’

2:18
Amazing weather today, light rain tomorrow afternoon through Thursday

Amazing weather today, light rain tomorrow afternoon through Thursday

1:37
Elmsford PD: Man arrested on weapons charge during ‘extreme risk protection order’ raid

Elmsford PD: Man arrested on weapons charge during ‘extreme risk protection order’ raid

0:25
Cortlandt Manor tax preparer known as ‘The Magician’ accused of $100 million tax fraud

Cortlandt Manor tax preparer known as ‘The Magician’ accused of $100 million tax fraud

0:42
Porch collapse in Dutchess County leaves 1 injured

Porch collapse in Dutchess County leaves 1 injured

0:54
Mandatory seat belt law proposal for charter buses spurred after fatal Orange County crash

Mandatory seat belt law proposal for charter buses spurred after fatal Orange County crash

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:41
Rockland Community College library and student union closed indefinitely due to water damage

Rockland Community College library and student union closed indefinitely due to water damage

0:23
Vandalism at New Hampton park prompts search for culprit

Vandalism at New Hampton park prompts search for culprit

0:32
Orange County DA: 2 men arrested in Walmart knife fight that injured a police officer

Orange County DA: 2 men arrested in Walmart knife fight that injured a police officer

0:25
Port Chester man arrested after burglary leads to standoff in Elmsford

Port Chester man arrested after burglary leads to standoff in Elmsford

0:24
Hyde Park School District honored nationally for music education excellence

Hyde Park School District honored nationally for music education excellence

1:00
Headlines: Officer charged in illegal eavesdropping, drug dealer arrested again, missing woman

Headlines: Officer charged in illegal eavesdropping, drug dealer arrested again, missing woman

0:26
MTA introduces electric-powered vans to Access-A-Ride fleet

MTA introduces electric-powered vans to Access-A-Ride fleet

0:51
Authorities unable to determine cause of loud boom noise in Carmel

Authorities unable to determine cause of loud boom noise in Carmel

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

Guide: Alcohol addiction recovery support and resources

2:54
Prison conversations shed light on Robert Durst's mental state, depths he went to evade justice

Prison conversations shed light on Robert Durst's mental state, depths he went to evade justice

1:55
Gov. Hochul, state lawmakers reach 'conceptual' agreement on state budget

Gov. Hochul, state lawmakers reach 'conceptual' agreement on state budget

0:35
Police: 41-year-old man recovering from stabbing at New Rochelle sports lounge

Police: 41-year-old man recovering from stabbing at New Rochelle sports lounge

New DMV comes to downtown Port Jervis

New DMV comes to downtown Port Jervis