After three months, the fires at the World Trade Center are finally out

<br>NEW YORK (AP) _ The stubborn fires that have burned beneath the ruins of the World Trade Center for the past three months are finally out, officials said Wednesday. <br><br>Fire Department spokesman

Wednesday, December 19th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ The stubborn fires that have burned beneath the ruins of the World Trade Center for the past three months are finally out, officials said Wednesday.

Fire Department spokesman Robert Calise said it is possible that some small pockets might still be burning, ``but we consider the fire to be out.''

Calise said a firetruck remains on standby at the site.

For months, the fires that began with the attack on Sept. 11 sent acrid clouds of smoke that could be smelled at times several miles away in Brooklyn and upper Manhattan.

The smoldering fires were fueled by such things as documents and office furniture. Flare-ups would occur from time to time as demolition and rescue crews exposed the debris to the air.

For months the fires had been strong enough that firetrucks had to spray a nearly constant jet of water on them. At times, the flames slowed the work of clearing the site.