A worker yesterday told a jury of the fateful moment in October 2006 when, Manhattan prosecutors say, the fate of two firefighters was sealed in the 9/11-damaged Deutsche Bank building.

Adolpho Ortiz said he was told to saw off brackets holding a standpipe to the ceiling and it fell to the floor.

Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino would die of smoke inhalation nine months later while fighting a fire without water.