Remains of more firefighters found at World Trade Center site

NEW YORK - The remains of one of the New York Fire Department&#39;s highest-ranking Sept. 11 victims, as well as those of as many as nine other firefighters, have been retrieved by workers at the World Trade Center site, officials say.<br> <br> Assistant Chief Donald Burns, 61, was among seven firefighters found late Wednesday or early Thursday, said firefighter Mike Prendergast, a department spokesman. The remains of what appeared to be another three firefighters were discovered Thursday evening, he said.<br> <br> Two civilians also were found, Prendergast said.<br> <br> Burns was setting up a command post when the trade center&#39;s south tower collapsed. He had been cited for valor five times during his 39-year career.<br> <br> His remains were found along with personal possessions and were identified using dental records, department spokesman Frank Gribbon said.<br> <br> Workers have been excavating the last mountain of debris at the site, a six-story heap where the south tower once stood.<br> <br> Recovery crews at the twin towers complex have said they believe so many remains are being found in the south tower pile because the 110-story building collapsed first, leaving those inside little time to escape.<br> <br> The fire department lost 343 members in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. The remains of about 160 have been recovered and identified.<br> <br> When the remains of uniformed officers are found in the rubble, recovery efforts are temporarily halted and the remains are removed on a stretcher covered with an American flag while colleagues salute.

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