about the film
In the hours after the twin towers were destroyed on September 11th, 2001, hundreds of volunteers began showing up at ground zero.
Some came with the determination to help in any way they could. Others, like Chris Wagner and Ralph (Red) Andersen, two New York City Steamfitters, had the skills they knew rescue workers would need.
Both knew how to use gas welding torches.
On September 12th, 2001 Chris and Ralph showed up at the pile and for the next 5 days spent hours searching for survivors. A grim task that mostly had them lifting body bags and using torches to slice through heavy beams of steel.
All the while inhaling a witches brew of toxins neither man knew how dangerous or deadly they could be. The m
On September 12th, 2001 Chris and Ralph showed up at the pile and for the next 5 days spent hours searching for survivors. A grim task that mostly had them lifting body bags and using torches to slice through heavy beams of steel.
All the while inhaling a witches brew of toxins neither man knew how dangerous or deadly they could be. The men were told the air was safe to breathe. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
They both got sick.
23 years after Chris and Ralph volunteered on the pile the men are telling their story.
A documentary that explores the selfless actions of two men who showed up simply because it was the right thing to do.
5 Days on the Pile is a first hand account of the dangers, challenges and gut wrenching discoveries these Steamfitters found in those d
23 years after Chris and Ralph volunteered on the pile the men are telling their story.
A documentary that explores the selfless actions of two men who showed up simply because it was the right thing to do.
5 Days on the Pile is a first hand account of the dangers, challenges and gut wrenching discoveries these Steamfitters found in those days after the towers crumbled to the ground.
.
A film that pays tribute to the volunteers who showed up and the people who perished.
About the Creator
Paul Wagner has been covering murders, murder mysteries, cold cases and anything else that makes news in the city of Washington since 1981.
He has reported traffic with a pair of binoculars and a two way radio from the top of the Washington Monument and was the first to report Chandra Levy was murdered.
The 4 time Emmy winning reporter spent countless hours on the DC Sniper case, 9/11 and a story that shocked the city. A man dying outside a DC firehouse when the firefighters inside refused to help..
Paul spent 11 years with WTOP NewsRadio and 21 years with WTTG Fox 5.
He currently covers crime and courts at NBC's WRC-TV
In addition to his work writing, directing and producing '5 Days on the Pile' Paul has written and voiced three podcast series on notable murder cases.
"The Mystery on Swann Street", "Murder in a Safe Place" and "Unknown Subject".