Tears & a bust
FDNY mourns chief as 2nd drug den susp cuffed
A SECOND suspect was arrested Wednesday in the Bronx drug house explosion that killed a beloved FDNY battalion chief, sources said.
Garibaldi Castillo, 32, was charged with two counts of felony marijuana possession, sources said.
Investigators were still grilling Julio Salcedo, 34, who is believed to be a renter at the pot-filled home that blew up Tuesday.
The revelation about the second arrest came hours after firefighters paid tribute to Battalion Chief Michael Fahy, 44, following a solemn ceremony at his Bronx firehouse.
“Mike Fahy is the nicest guy out of all the nice guys anyone has ever known,” said Capt. Brendan Deehan, of Engine 47. “Professional, sharp, witty, family man, loved his wife more than anything, loved his kids more than anything, coached as many teams as he could possibly squeeze in.”
More than 200 firefighters packed into Battalion 19 headquarters, which was draped in purple and black bunting, to honor the 17-year veteran and married father of three.
The ceremony ended with the firefighters giving an emotional salute as bagpipers played “Amazing Grace.”
Lt. JonPaul Augier, of Ladder Co. 1, said Fahy was the kind of guy who would break out his guitar and start jamming after returning from an overnight call. Fahy was killed Tuesday while responding to a report of a gas leak at a home on W. 234th St. in Kingsbridge.
He was directing operations in the middle of the street when the house exploded — spewing bricks, glass, roof shingles and pot plants into the air. A section of roof slammed into Fahy, causing grievous injuries to his head and chest.Another 20 people — including nine firefighters and six police officers — suffered minor injuries.
A utility source said the house blew up as four Con Edison workers were shutting a valve in the basement after the FDNY turned off the gas line on the street. The cause of the blast was still a mystery Wednesday.
Investigators had yet to find evidence of an illegal gas line inside the home where marijuana was growing in the basement and a second-floor bedroom, sources said.
Castillo, sporting ankle shackles along with his dark sweatshirt and jeans, grimaced as he was led out of the 50th Precinct stationhouse Wednesday night.
A group of 30 firefighters from Engine 81/Ladder 46 lined the street. They stood, some with their arms folded, and stared at the silent suspect as he was carted off by cops.
“They were there to face him and show solidarity for the brother they lost,” an FDNY spokesman said.
Salcedo was nabbed Tuesday afternoon at his girlfriend’s home in Cliffside Park, N.J.
Fahy, whose father, Thomas, was a decorated FDNY battalion chief, became the first firefighter killed in the line of duty since 2014.
“Having to be one of the people to tell his wife, to tell his parents, was extraordinarily painful,” Mayor de Blasio said.
His wake will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday, at Flower Funeral Home in Yonkers.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Annunciation Church in Yonkers.