[CFC__VRWC]

Actually, some of these are turn of the century masonry and wood buildings that put up brick facades.

That's the kind of building I meant - if I used the term brownstone incorrectly, my apologies. I know firefighters hate these buildings because the poorly-anchored facades crumble so easily, the structural timbers are old and often treated with creosote and other materials that are highly flamable and give off highly toxic fumes when burned, and because so many of them have few exits and narrow winding hallways and stairwells, all poorly lit.

[Black Agnes]

Make no mistake. The older sections of Manhattan are a nighmare for fire and rescue personnel.