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The Investigators Jim Hoffer has exclusive details.

The FDNY has crucial information on every high-rise in the city that alerts fire commanders to potential dangers when responding to an alarm. But an exclusive document we've obtained shows when crews arrived to the Deutche Bank building, some of that information was outdated.

When firefighters arrived on the scene of the blaze, the fire commander's plan of attack was based in part on a report relayed to him through the FDNY's "Critical Information Dispatch System" -- a report that provides vital details about potential hazards. In this case, that there was "asbestos and hazardous materials" as well as "holes" in some of the floors.

It's essential info, according to a veteran FDNY officer, who agreed to talk if we withheld his identity.

FDNY officer: "When we are dispatched to a scene that would be the first piece of information that a fire ground commander would have to go off of." Jim Hoffer: "And he uses this information to plan his attack." FDNY officer: "That is correct."

But some of the critical information on the report was outdated. It showed that the building was "38 stories." It was actually 26. And perhaps most importantly, it indicated that the standpipe, which is the main water conduit at the Deutsche Bank, was "dry."

Jim Hoffer: "He sees dry stand pipe. What does he think?" FDNY officer: "He thinks that he does have a good chance of attacking this fire under normal circumstances because he will have a water source immediately available upon an engine's arrival." Jim Hoffer: "That's cricital information isn't it?" FDNY Officer: "Absolutely critical."

It turned out the standpipe wasn't even connected and it took fire crews more than an hour to get water onto the fire -- perhaps sealing the fate of two firefighters.

The dispatch report did accurately indicate that the sprinkler system was OOS -- out of service -- which is a serious violation of the city code. It begs the question why didn't the city take action.

"It seems like there were gaps with the city's oversight of this building ... we don't know what was in fact done in term of inspections," said Glenn Corbett, assistant professor of fire science.

The mayor says the question of oversight is now a main focus of the investigation.

"Checking to see who was responsible for insuring that the building codes and fire codes were enforced and if they were not why were they not," Bloomberg said.

"Who did the fire department decide was responsible for making sure that building was inspected and the standpipe system was operational ... and there may be other agencies that needed to do that also, but that needs to be answered ... quickly," said Uniformed Firefighters Union's Steve Cassidy.

While it looks increasingly clear that the city dropped the ball in its oversight of this toxic demo the ultimate responsibility, according to experts, rests with the building owner, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, and the contractors, Bovis Lend Lease and the John Galt Corporation.

Also, one of the first firefighters to respond to the fire told Eyewitness News that in addition to a disconnected standpipe, every exit on the top floors had been blocked off by layers of plywood. He says it's a miracle that more firefighters didn't die.

Manhattan DA Opens Probe, NYS AG Gets Involved

Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau says prosecutors from the Rackets Bureau have been in touch with city fire marshals to determine whether criminal violations occurred in Saturday's fire at the former Deutsche Bank office building.

Authorities say it is not unusual for prosecutors to join the investigation of a serious building fire or collapse. Their involvement would give fire marshals subpoena power, should they need it.

City officials say that the fire started on the 17th floor of a building that was being dismantled floor by floor. Workers were cleaning asbestos and other materials on that and several other floors on Saturday afternoon when the fire broke out.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia on were killed on the building's 14th floor.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said earlier today that the investigation was ongoing and "at this point, there's no reason for anybody to think in terms of criminal charges or anything else."

City officials say earlier that workers would routinely take smoke breaks near the place where the fire started, and said electrical equipment such as hot water heaters for decontamination showers were also nearby.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday: "The Attorney General's Public Integrity and Environmental Protection Bureaus have begun reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the fire at the Deutsche Bank building. The Office of the Attorney General is committed to examining and understanding what took place and what went wrong in order to ensure that this never happens again. Obviously, any criminal investigation relating to the fire by District Attorney Morgenthau would take precedence and the Attorney General's Office is prepared to assist in that investigation in any way possible."

Firefighter laid to rest

In the midst of this investigation, families of the victims are still dealing with the overwhelming loss of their loved ones. The first wake for one of two firefighters killed was held Tuesday night.

Friends and family are remembering 33-year-old Joseph Graffagnino.

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scopetta and Mayor Michael Bloomberg were among the first of numerous officials to make the long, solemn walk past the casket and to a family grieving beyond consolation.

"He always had a smile from ear to ear, always had a nice thing to say ... always helpful ... he's going to be missed a lot," fellow firefighter Dan Fennel said.

Graffagnino lived in Dyker Heights with his wife and two little ones. He is described as the heart and the soul of the firehouse.

"He was loving, kind, gentle person ... that's what he was," a family friend said.

The wake will continue Wednesday and his funeral is set for Thursday morning in Dyker Heights. Robert Beddia's wake is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. His funeral will be on Friday at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue.

Audio Tapes:

"We have heavy fire up here and no line," one firefighter is heard on a transmission tape.

Radio transmissions obtained by The Daily News document how firefighters struggled to get hoses up to the 14th floor, because the standpipe which supplies the building with water was not working. Fire crews equipped with limited oxygen lost valuable time.

Firefighter: Batallion 41 to command, urgent.

Command: Yeah, go ahead, Jack.

Firefighter: We need help on the 14th, we're running out of air up here.

Making matters worse, thick, toxic smoke fed by plastic sheeting that had been put up for the demolition of the asbestos filled the building. In addition, plywood blocked many stairways. Normal reference points were lost in a maze.

"I want a roll call," a commander is heard on the tapes. "Do we have a roll call finished up there? I don't give a [expletive] about the building, I give a [expletive] about the guys. Do we have a roll call? Do we know who's missing?"

Retired FDNY Chief Daniel Nigro spoke with Eyewitness News.

"Now you've taken that building and made it into a trap," he said. "And that's what they walked into."

Firefighters Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino died of smoke inhalation. Nigro says the odds were stacked against them.

"All things came together to work against the survival of these two men," he said.

In the months prior to the fire, the site had racked up numerous safety violations for stockpiling flammable and combustible materials, including heavy fines imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. But a key question in all of this is who was responsible for making sure the main water supply was working? Who had inspection oversight?

"Right now, this investigation is ongoing as to whether the standpipe was operation at the time," Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Chairman Avi Schick said. "We don't know the answers to that. As soon as we know them, we'll share with the public. We're working with the FDNY. That's a critical question we're trying that we're trying to answer right now."