Main Ground Zero fires finally stubbed out

NEW YORK - Firefighters have extinguished the last "hot spots" at the World Trade Center after putting out the main fires that have burned there since two hijacked planes destroyed its twin towers on September 11.

Smoke from the 6.5ha site where the buildings once stood has at times choked the air in lower Manhattan's financial district with the smell of burning rubber, plastic and steel.

After fighting the flames and smouldering debris for more than three months, fire department officials said today (NZT) that the main body of the fire had been extinguished.

But they cautioned that small fires continue to flare up from the rubble where the two 110-story buildings once stood.

"While we continue to search for victims and remove the debris, we are encountering hot spots that flare up," Fire Department spokesman Brian Dixon said in a statement.

"Until that process is complete, the fire will not be technically out and this will remain an active fire scene."

The Fire Department said trucks were still stationed at the site where around 3000 people were killed.

- REUTERS

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