The AE911Truth Petition
To the Members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate of the United States of America,
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT:
On Behalf of the People of the United States of America, the undersigned Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth and affiliates hereby petition for, and demand, a truly independent investigation with subpoena power in order to uncover the full truth surrounding the events of 9/11/01 – specifically the collapses of the World Trade Center Towers and Building 7. We believe there is sufficient doubt about the official story and therefore the 9/11 investigation must be re-opened and must include a full inquiry into the possible use of explosives that might have been the actual cause of the destruction of the World Trade Center Twin Towers and Building 7.
Featured Petition Signers
Peter R. Hall, MSEE
MS, EE, MIT
It is very clear that something more than the plane strikes took down those towers!
Peter R. Hall, MSEE
MS, EE, MIT
South Wellfleet, MA
BA in physics from Williams College. BS and MS from MIT in electrical engineering. Worked for Raytheon my entire working career, primarily on digital communication and military aerospace communication related areas. Retired in 1988.
It is very clear that something more than the plane strikes took down those towers!
Rose White, Whiteroseii
Entrepeneur
Business
Rose White, Whiteroseii
Business
Phila, PA
Occupation: Entrepeneur
John F. Kennedy, BSME, MSE
Mechanical Engineer
BS Mechanical Engineering, California State University Chico, 1988. MS Engineering, San Francisco State University, 1997
The collapse of Bldg 7 is very suspicious, and video footage of its collapse appears consistent with a demolition implosion.
John F. Kennedy, BSME, MSE
BS Mechanical Engineering, California State University Chico, 1988. MS Engineering, San Francisco State University, 1997
Santa Rosa, CA
Occupation: Mechanical Engineer
I have a BSME with FEA specialty, and a MSE with resource sustainability focus and top honors. I have also been trained in fire cause and origin and worked for two years investigating fires.
The collapse of Bldg 7 is very suspicious, and video footage of its collapse appears consistent with a demolition implosion.
Adrian Rivera, BArch
Bachelor of Architecture, Virginia Tech
An asymmetrical force does not produce symmetrical failure. Specially in 3 very large buildings affected by 3 different forces, on the same day.
Adrian Rivera, BArch
Bachelor of Architecture, Virginia Tech
Marbella, Malaga, Spain
Graduated the 18th of December, 1991 with a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
An asymmetrical force does not produce symmetrical failure. Specially in 3 very large buildings affected by 3 different forces, on the same day.
Thushara Alwis
Bachelor Civil Engineering, NTU
At most, only the top half of the North Tower should have fallen, because heat rises and fire tends to travel upwards, given the very high location of…
Thushara Alwis
Bachelor Civil Engineering, NTU
Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
I lived in Singapore all my life, went through Government schools, conscripted in the army as is required for all Singaporean citizen males 18 and above. I read a lot of National Geographic and internet news and my hobbies include playing computer games, drawing and photoshop.
At most, only the top half of the North Tower should have fallen, because heat rises and fire tends to travel upwards, given the very high location of the impact area. And then of course many buildings have suffered serious building fires without being brought down like the WTC.
Gareth M. Winstanley, BEng (Hons)
Technical Director
BEng with Honours, University of Liverpool, England, 1995
WTC7 clearly has discrepancies in the official study, and there were poor engineering assumptions by the 911 commission.
Gareth M. Winstanley, BEng (Hons)
BEng with Honours, University of Liverpool, England, 1995
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Occupation: Technical Director
Senior structural design engineer - 25 years experience.
WTC7 clearly has discrepancies in the official study, and there were poor engineering assumptions by the 911 commission.
Chris A. Rizzuti
Architect
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Oklahoma, 1982
The video evidence clearly and forthrightly shows explosive ejections far below the zone of visible collapse on all three buildings. This, for me, is sufficient to investigate in…
Chris A. Rizzuti
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Oklahoma, 1982
San Diego, CA
Occupation: Architect
Bachelor of Architecture - University of Oklahoma 1982. USAF Civil Engineering officer 1982-1988. Licensed state of California 1991. Practicing commercial/institutional architect.
The video evidence clearly and forthrightly shows explosive ejections far below the zone of visible collapse on all three buildings. This, for me, is sufficient to investigate in excruciating detail, the actual causes of the collapse. Steel does not fail in this manner. The evidence collected thus far is conclusive in my mind that the towers, which were designed to withstand the impact of a jetliner, did not fail from the impact of the airplanes or the subsequent fire.
Massimo Guglielmo, BArch
Architect
B Arch
I am looking for the truth. Currently there are too many unanswered questions.
Massimo Guglielmo, BArch
B Arch
Tinley Park, IL
Occupation: Architect
Five year architecture degree from Illinois Institute of Technology. I spent my first 10 years of practice on single/multi family housing, and middle schools.
I am looking for the truth. Currently there are too many unanswered questions.
Skip Doughty, AIA
degreed & licensed
I have always been troubled, based on my professional training and experience, by what I thought I saw in the videos of the two towers' collapse and reconciling…
Skip Doughty, AIA
degreed & licensed
Woodside, CA
Educated at SFSU and U.C. Berkeley. Primary experience with horizontal skyscrapers for Silicon Valley electronics firms in western states, national newspaper publishing facilities and corporate facilities architect. Former member A.I.A. and I.C.B.O, I am now disabled/retired.
I have always been troubled, based on my professional training and experience, by what I thought I saw in the videos of the two towers' collapse and reconciling that with the official explanation of what happened. A few nights ago while on-line, I happened to see, for the first time, a video recording of the collapse of WTC 7. To me it appeared to be caused by a controlled demolition and not a fire, and skepticism has led me to look into more detail about the events of 9/11. I think there is so much good information available about it that is not in step with the official explanations it warrants an independent and scientific inquiry.
Gaspar Paya
B.D. Ind. Design Engineering, UPV, Spain
Personally I found the Official Version of 9/11 too contradictory, and after reviewing all the information that I found about the 9/11 attack I really think they were…
Gaspar Paya
B.D. Ind. Design Engineering, UPV, Spain
Woodside, NY
Interest in Technology, Inventions and Industrial Manufacturing Process.
Personally I found the Official Version of 9/11 too contradictory, and after reviewing all the information that I found about the 9/11 attack I really think they were an internal job. I hope some day we know the truth about all this terrible tragedy that hit the US.
Minor Martin, Architect
Anarquia Arquitectura, Costa Rica
Minor Martin, Architect
Anarquia Arquitectura, Costa Rica
San Jose, San Jose, Costa Rica
Graduated from Veritas University 3 years ago Parallel studies of Psychology, Philosophy, and Religions Anarchy Architecture stands for all that is Sacred, and tries to spot out everything that is far from this State.
Rodrigo Riadi
Mechanical Engineer, U Sao Paulo
The collapse of WTC 7 looks very much like a controlled demolition. It is very hard to believe it could be anything other than.
Rodrigo Riadi
Mechanical Engineer, U Sao Paulo
Westminster, CO
Studied Mechanical Engineering at Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil in the early 90's.
The collapse of WTC 7 looks very much like a controlled demolition. It is very hard to believe it could be anything other than.
Petition Signatories
George A. Storebel
Mayville, NY
Occupation: U.S. Citizen With A Brain
George A. Storebel
Mayville, NY
Occupation: U.S. Citizen With A Brain
Francis D. Levesque
Davie, FL
Occupation: General Construction
Francis D. Levesque
Davie, FL
Occupation: General Construction
I am a regular guy with some experience in general basic construction. (framing,taping,plastering,painting)
I can't wait for everybody to wake up and see the truth about those events!! I am sick of listening to all the lies that are spread by the media and to see that the general population are believing in it!! It is so obvious, and still the general population can't see it !!
Harvey Reading, Retired Biologis
Shoshoni, WY
Occupation: Biologist
Education: A.B., Zoology, U.C., Berkeley
Harvey Reading, Retired Biologis
A.B., Zoology, U.C., Berkeley
Shoshoni, WY
Occupation: Biologist
Retired state fish and game biologist. Served in this capacity for 22 years.
I've been suspicious from the beginning about the events of Sept. 11, 2001. I suspect that the events occurred either through direct government, or government-sponsored actions, or through deliberate government inaction. The whitewash official report has done nothing to allay my suspicions. If it is ever proved, I hope to see the perpetrators, and all those complicit in the crimes, indicted for treason.
Lennie A. Dombach, It / Telecommuni
Martinez, CA
Occupation: It/Telecomunications Sales Manager
Lennie A. Dombach, It / Telecommuni
Martinez, CA
Occupation: It/Telecomunications Sales Manager
Navy Nuclear Power Engineering Grad., 1985, Engineering Laboratory Tech., 1986, Physical Science Tech., 1988, Industrial Health Tech., 1994, IT/Telecommunications Sales Manager, to present.
After 6 years of extensive research into the FACTS about 911, there is simply too many inconsistencies with the Official story, we must & will have a new investigation into the tragedy that was 911. For many of us the current & ongoing investigation has sufficiently proven the buildings were brought down by high power military style explosives. There are many more questions that must be answered & we are not alone in our quest for the TRUTH. Great THANKS to every one of the BRAVE souls that have signed this petition & continue to fight for what is right. For this is a fight that we can ill afford to lose.
David S. Ward
Seattle, WA
Occupation: None Of Significance
David S. Ward
Seattle, WA
Occupation: None Of Significance
I have been researching 9/11 since about 6 months after it happened and am writing a book about 9/11 (among a few other progressive political books). I've also previously self-published four other books on non-political topics. I'm also interested in book design and have helped other people with their books and articles. I 've been an activist on many different issues for more than 35 years and work very little at paid work (and live on very little) so that I can devote myself to making the world a better place.
In studying the 9/11 issue for 6.5 years, it is very clear to me that both the Twin Towers and WTC 7 were destroyed with controlled demolition. Solidly built steel buildings don't simply fall apart instantaneously and in a few seconds from fires on a few floors. It's never happened before or since--and it didn't happen on 9/11. Comparing that Italian controlled demolitions with WTC 7 that Mr. Gage has in his slideshow makes it very clear--they fall in exactly the same amount of time in exactly the same way--like twins who were separated at birth. David Chandler's video (on your site) of the North Tower also shows clearly that the explosions precede the destruction and that the building's concrete becomes dust as it falls, long before it hits the ground and that the top part of the building is exploding out and disintegrating so there's no weight to destory the bottom part of this massively built building. There's also foreknowledge of the collapses, more than 100 rescue worker eyewitnesses to hearing explosions, particularly at the Twin Towers, pulverized concrete powder, changing--and conflicting--stories from the official agencies about what caused the destruction, and so much more. If a person has an open mind at all, and is willing to take even a cursory look at the physical evidence, it becomes absolutely clear that these buildings were destroyed using controlled demolition.
Angela M. Morris
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Occupation: Interior Decorator
Education: Degreed
Angela M. Morris
Degreed
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Occupation: Interior Decorator
A Mother, wife and business owner and seeker of truth also a Qualified Interior Decorator.
Jackson T. Carreras, Student, Musician
Ann Arbor, MI
Occupation: Musician
Education: student
Jackson T. Carreras, Student, Musician
student
Ann Arbor, MI
Occupation: Musician
Evan M. Harrison, Student
Denver, CO
Occupation: Scared
Education: student
Evan M. Harrison, Student
student
Denver, CO
Occupation: Scared
I am a student at ACC in Colorado, I am studying to be a wildlife biologist but considering political science. favorite show is Daily Show with Jon Stewart and I can't stand to watch CNN, Fox, NBC, or CBS because of the bullsh!!.
In a way i am happy(but deeply disturbed) 9/11 happened. I am happy because it has opened my eyes and millions more to see the truth of our gov. It has screwed us over for the last time and a revolution will soon occur. Hopefully it will be non-violent, but time is running out. Anti-N.W.O.
Elfed Dowler-Jones
Llanelwy, Denbighshire, United Kingdom
Occupation: Interior, Exterior Decorator
Elfed Dowler-Jones
Llanelwy, Denbighshire, United Kingdom
Occupation: Interior, Exterior Decorator
I am beginning to take on news from the International Community to broad my understanding of our existence within The Cosmos. A study of deceit and economics are an essential part of the formula for understanding abuse of power in Global Society.
A fine gentleman: The late Fred Dibnah, has shown many times how to drop brick towers around the UK with a box of matches and some judicious arrangement of combustible materials. They all collapsed in a neat and tidy fashion. When an airplane hits a very tall object, the reasonable assumption is that the object will fall over length-ways, not in a neat pile. This is reserved for the above art of being a steeplejack.
Serge R. N'gbesso, CCIE, CISSP
Paris, IDF, France
Occupation: It Security
Education: CCIE#20372 - CISSP#88779
Serge R. N'gbesso, CCIE, CISSP
CCIE#20372 - CISSP#88779
Paris, IDF, France
Occupation: It Security
I'm a self-employed IT Security consultant working in France right now. I'm certified in operational security expertise as CCIE Security #20372 and, in security management as CISSP #88779.
First time I saw 9/11 on TV I was without emotion, that was so impossible. But when I saw the precipitation of the media minutes after the disaster to blame it on Osama bin Laden, and then Al-Qaeda, without any investigation I realized that then I already knew it was not the truth!
Lona M. Jones
Mineral Wells, TX
Occupation: Real Estate
Education: BA Business
Lona M. Jones
BA Business
Mineral Wells, TX
Occupation: Real Estate
Retired federal FDIC employee. Specialized in liquidating high dollar commercial real estate assets acquired through failed Savings & Loan Associations and banks.
I watched the buildings collapse on TV and said out loud, That's a demolition! I have over 30 years of comercial real estate experience and have witnessed several demolitions.... I witnessed two on TV, on 9/11/01.
Harold A. Treinen, CMA, CIA
Portland, OR
Occupation: Accounting
Education: BS Accounting, CMA, CIA
Harold A. Treinen, CMA, CIA
BS Accounting, CMA, CIA
Portland, OR
Occupation: Accounting
I'm a progressive who is educated, love this country, love my family, work hard, and love peaceful life in relationship to others in this country and joined with others to build relationships with people from other cultures, countries, religions, ethnicity, gender, age. I'm a Catholic working for peace & justice in my Parish, community, state, country, as a progressive who studies and lives out Catholic Social Teaching.
I support finding the truth, and I seen DVDs, America: Freedom to Fascism, American Blackout, Loose Change-version 2. I've read, and listened to people, who repudiate the government stories of what they say is the truth, but we know more facts about the temperature differences between fuel fires and fires from explosions, and the flashes in the lower parts of the buildings, and the stand-down of the military; please gather everything, and make the case to re-open the investigation ASAP. Thank you, Harold
Martin Stejskal
Usti Nad Orlici, Czech Republic, Czech Republic
Occupation: Student
Education: student
Martin Stejskal
student
Usti Nad Orlici, Czech Republic, Czech Republic
Occupation: Student
Tina L. Parshall
Medford, OR
Occupation: Mom
Education: student
Tina L. Parshall
student
Medford, OR
Occupation: Mom
I am an American citizen that is looking for truth. I am a student and really feel that all Americans have been disinformed by our government to hide the real truth behind 9/11.
You can see the charges from the explosives when the building collapses.
Sandra Kluth, Mediator
Pueblo West, CO
Occupation: Mediator
Education: BA Business
Sandra Kluth, Mediator
BA Business
Pueblo West, CO
Occupation: Mediator
Jon Allen, Artist
New York, NY
Occupation: Fine Art
Education: Degreed
Jon Allen, Artist
Degreed
New York, NY
Occupation: Fine Art
I have been an artist for most of my life. I am 32 years old and have lived in Brooklyn for nearly 10 years. I consider my self an astute observer of reality for it is one of the jobs of an artist and the governments version of the truth of what happened on 911 is full of holes!
100 story buildings do not turn into a powdered pyroclastic flow from their own weight collapsing on them. How stupid do the criminals responsible think we are?
Lorrie Otto, Marketing Exec.
Portland, OR
Lorrie Otto, Marketing Exec.
Portland, OR
No technical experience. Only experience would be seeing other buildings being demolished. There have been several demolished here by Emmert's.
Have watched our country become hated and despised since 9/11. I want to see everyone involved with the collapse tried and convicted. There was never any doubt in my mind that it was set.
Scott S. Cooper
Portland, OR
Occupation: Meditation
Education: Degreed
Scott S. Cooper
Degreed
Portland, OR
Occupation: Meditation
I'm a human being who, like all people , was stunned and shocked by witnessing all the tragedy and death unfolding on that day. Our democracy is at stake as is the future of my grandchildren world. We deserve and demand the truth. I'm a devout patriot for civil and human rights and our constitution. My life has been devoted to developing a compassionate mind.
There is too much documented evidence to contradict the Official story. I want a thorough investigation, like Watergate. We need lessons in Civics!
Clark Wills, A.B. M.Div.
Seattle, WA
Occupation: Pastoral Ministry
Education: A.B. M.Div.
Clark Wills, A.B. M.Div.
A.B. M.Div.
Seattle, WA
Occupation: Pastoral Ministry
Priest ordained 1974. Canonically resident in the Diocese of Olympia. Member at Saint Mark's Cathedral, Seattle.
The most compelling reasons for me to doubt the popularly accepted explanations, based on the Zelikow report, are the free fall of all three of the buildings and the quick removal of the steel and the shipping of it out of the country.
Patrick J. Kerwin
Goldendale, WA
Occupation: Buiding Trades Journeyman/Contracter
Education: degreed & licensed
Patrick J. Kerwin
degreed & licensed
Goldendale, WA
Occupation: Buiding Trades Journeyman/Contracter
I've spent 25 yrs in the building trades an apprentice and journeyman and 5 years as a contractor in the air conditioning and refrigeration trade in service and repair and construction much of the work involves welding both arc welding and gas welding. I spent most of my career working in large buildings and refineries and naval stations. My union specializes on oil pipeline welding and nuclear reactors
I'm sorry, it is obvious to me that this was a planned demolition of the three towers. This was to dramatize the effect, there is no way for the the buildings to collapse so symmetrically in their own foot print as if on cue. The damage to the buildings was asymmetrical and should have cause the towers to fall more like a lightening struck tree
Anthony Librera, Student
Staten Island, NY
Occupation: Student
Education: student
Anthony Librera, Student
student
Staten Island, NY
Occupation: Student
College student - philosophy major, private high school graduate. Father was a first responder on 9/11 with the national guard.
Collapsed floor by floor on top of each other symmetrically, collapsed at near free fall pace, buildings blown into dust.
Mary J. Spake
Kansas City, MO
Occupation: American Citizen
Mary J. Spake
Kansas City, MO
Occupation: American Citizen
I believe for the last 12 years the skull and bones have been in control of our so called free society.... Guess what we have all been fooled
I believe the bush administration was responsible ans aware years before this event occured. George w. Bush was also a part of this and advised his son how to proceed.!!!!!!
Philip C. Zoch, Candidate D. Arc
Honolulu, HI
Education: Bachelor of Environmental Design
Philip C. Zoch, Candidate D. Arc
Bachelor of Environmental Design
Honolulu, HI
I hold a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University. I have worked at three architectural firms starting with summer internships at Smith Tipton Bailey Parker in Baton Rouge, LA; full-time internship immediately after graduation at Chou & Assoc., Virginia Beach, VA followed by full-time employment at Magoon & Assoc. in Williamsburg, VA. I am currently pursuing the Doctorate of Architecture degree at the University of Hawaii where I am concentrating in sustainable and energy-efficient building design methods as well as sustainable urban planning methods. Throughout my academic and professional careers, I have studied and routinely applied in practice the regulations set out by BOCA, the IBC and the NFPA.
One of the many concerns that I have about the reaction to the 9/11 attacks with regard to building design and the health, safety and welfare of the public is that despite the FEMA and NIST reports, the construction of buildings using open web joists, composite decking and spray-on fireproofing are still regarded as accepted practice. One could reasonably conclude through analysis of these reports that construction methods and designs similar to that of the twin towers should be outlawed yet they still remain in practice. Of all the calls for reform in the construction industry to make buildings safer in the wake of 9/11, few address the reasons stated in the official reports. Although one could argue many reasons for the resistance to change, especially considering the size of the building design and construction industry as a whole, I submit that the true reason why 9/11 hasn't radically changed how we engineer tall structures is that the volume of research and decades of precedent and empirical data shown by NFPA and ASTM prove the collapse of the twin towers to be an anomaly when one disregards the possiblity of controlled demolition.
Nick Sykes
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Occupation: Auto Mechanics
Nick Sykes
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Occupation: Auto Mechanics
Became aware of some compelling evidence that brought the US government's official story about 9/11 into doubt around September of 2006.
Among the evidence for explosive demolitions is that bright, rapid, white flashes occur prior to and during the destruction of the Twin Towers, and during the destruction of WTC7. These bear a striking resemblance to the flashes of explosives used in conventional controlled demolitions.
Jeff L. Cierniak
New Paltz, NY
Jeff L. Cierniak
New Paltz, NY
I'm a High School Grad, a Courier and a concerned citizen that knows we were lied to.
To use a phrase that a friend of mine once stated, Buildings don't just fall down like that. Another investigation is a must!!
Janis E. Lunney
Poulsbo, WA
Janis E. Lunney
Poulsbo, WA
I am a 59 year old white single woman. I have become politically aware since the abuse of power and constant lies of the Bush admin. If you are not outraged by the admin. of the last 8 years, you are not paying serious attention. I listen to progressive radio on and off all day. I really don't believe ANYTHING Bush says.
Science and physics in my opinion RULE. Getting this investigation off the ground is probably as hard as it was getting people to believe in global warming. I want the TRUTH about the 3 buildings.
Dorla (Dolly) Arksey
Lapeer, MI
Occupation: Author
Dorla (Dolly) Arksey
Lapeer, MI
Occupation: Author
US Taxpayer/Citizen/co-author of book, The Garden of Being. Retired Real Estate Broker. Past work experience: secretarial, managerial. restaurant/Pub owner. One year college completed on business curriculum.
It was totally suspicious from Day One--even to an average, thinking person. I believe the reason people choose to not want to believe that powerful sinister powers in their own government were involved in this obvious conspiracy is that it is almost too horrific, and sickening for a human heart and mind to comprehend. The exposed media cover up and apparent control of mainstream media by outside forces is abhorrent.
Vic Ford
Macon, GA
Occupation: Retired
Vic Ford
Macon, GA
Occupation: Retired
42 years combined US Air Force and Civil Service. Completed 2 years of college and numerous degrees in the logistic discipline.
It's time for the truth about 9/11. Now is the time for a complete and open independent investigation into the collapses of the World Trade Center buildings.
Rossana Cambron
Whittier, CA
Education: Degreed
Rossana Cambron
Degreed
Whittier, CA
I have not technical experience, I believe an investigation is warranted there are too many questions left unanswered
As I saw the towers fall, I was left with the question of how could they have fallen straight down as other buildings do when they are purposely demolished.
Robin Kopel
Waukegan, IL
Occupation: IT
Education: student
Robin Kopel
student
Waukegan, IL
Occupation: IT
48 year old administrative assistant now studying for an IT degree, originally from Massachusetts, worked for architects and engineers for at least six years total.
I am not generally given to lending credence to conspiracy theories. I find the evidence presented in How the Towers Fell to be extremely compelling. I am no longer convinced of the veracity of the official explanation.
Belinda G. Savage
Closter, NJ
Occupation: Political Science
Education: B.S., Ramapo College
Belinda G. Savage
B.S., Ramapo College
Closter, NJ
Occupation: Political Science
Registered Paralegal, Corporate Compliance Officer, Historical Researcher
From a layman's visual perspective, it is evident from the videos, that the world trade center buildings could not have disintegrated within two hours unless incendiary devices were utilized.
Molly Kirsch
Boston, MA
Occupation: In College
Education: student
Molly Kirsch
student
Boston, MA
Occupation: In College
I am attending Lesley University and eventually want to transfer and major in political science.
Planes do not just evaporate and leave the fingerprints of the humans in them behind. Building 7 was destroyed by a bomb
Edwin R. Lewis
Sandy Hook, CT
Occupation: Graphic Design & Photography
Edwin R. Lewis
Sandy Hook, CT
Occupation: Graphic Design & Photography
I'm a 9/11 Truth activist. Working with people in the New York City area, including ny911truth and We Are Change. Aware since 2004. I've been involved in numerous protest and visibility actions, and have handed out many, many flyers and DVD's.
I was in the city on that day and watched the fires and implosions of 1 and 2 from a rooftop just across the river in Jersey City. The sight of people jumping to their deaths to escape the smoke and heat haunts me to this day.