Tenants Found Not Guilty in Fatal "Black Sunday" Fire

A jury acquitted tenants who illegally subdivided their Bronx apartments for subleasing which, in turn, became a fatal warren for firefighters to navigate during a 2005 fire. Six firefighters ended up jumping out of a 6th floor window, with two, Lt. Curtis Meyran and firefighter John Bellew (pictured), falling to their deaths. Caridad Coste and Rafael Costillo were facing charges including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide; the Daily News reports that Coste cried out in Spanish, "God is great! Jesus was looking out for me" when she heard the verdict. The Post says that Meryran's and Bellew's widows, as well as other firefighters, were stunned. Another jury is expected to give a verdict for the building's owner and manager. This fire also highlighted some FDNY shortcomings, like frozen hydrants and lack of escape ropes.