by CHRISENA COLEMAN
An 82-year-old Bronx building engineer was hit with perjury charges Monday for lying about the sturdiness of a store where two firefighters were killed battling a 2006 blaze.
Jose Vargas pleaded not guilty in Bronx Supreme Court, but prosecutors said his bogus inspection of the Mega 99 Cent store in Mount Eden set the stage for the tragedy.
Vargas signed off on the final inspection of a renovation of the store at 1575 Walton Ave., claiming it had been constructed with steel beams, columns and bolts.
When the fire broke out on Aug.27, 2006, Howard Carpluk and probationary Firefighter Michael Riley were killed when the floor collapsed beneath them and part of the roof caved in.
"There wasn't an ounce of steel in the building," said Bronx Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Glucksman.
Instead of reinforced steel, investigators probing the blaze found rotting wooden columns.
Vargas looked frail and nervous as he entered his pleas in a courtroom packed with firefighters and loved ones of the fallen Bravest, including Riley's mother, Monica Riley.
Glucksman said Vargas lied to investigators about his inspection of the store prior to the blaze, claiming the structure was sound.
"Mr. Vargas gave sworn statements three times and stated he inspected the work and there was steel framing, steel columns and steel bolts," said Glucksman.
Carpluk, 43, and Riley, 25, were among four firefighters sent plunging into the basement, where they were trapped for 90 minutes as the fire raged.
Vargas' attorney, Armando Montano, claimed the engineer is being used as a scapegoat.
"The roof and the fire did not cause the collapse," said Montano. "The floor collapsed because of the weight of the water and debris....That's how they died. My client's plan has nothing to do with the death of these firemen, as tragic as it is."
Vargas, who was released on his own recognizance and ordered to hand over his passport, faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. He will return to court in May.
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