By Chuck Bennett 
The New York Post 

NEW YORK — Demolition work on the former Deutsche Bank building could be stalled for several weeks, a top state official said yesterday, as government agencies bicker over how to fix the deadly firetrap conditions inside while preventing toxic dust from escaping.

"Right now, we are focused on addressing the fire safety issue," said Avi Schick, chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corp., the state agency in charge of demolishing the building contaminated with World Trade Center dust.

"Over the next couple weeks, we are going to be devoted to ensuring the building is in optimal condition for first responders. When that work is completed, we'll be in a position to announce a new deconstruction plan," he told reporters at an Alliance for Downtown New York breakfast.

Still, the delay puts further pressure on the rebuilding timetable in lower Manhattan. Several projects, including a new JPMorganChase headquarters, can't move forward until the so-called "toxic tower" is removed.

Schick further proposed creating an "independently vetted master rebuilding schedule" to keep all of the projects on track.

Demolition at the building has been halted since the Aug. 18 blaze that killed two firefighters. The fire also opened up portions of the building to the elements.

Because a slew of fire-code regulations were violated on the site, the LMDC has had to rethink its entire plan to decontaminate and deconstruct the building.

Adding to the tension, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has been butting heads with LMDC over resealing the building, which is tainted with asbestos and hazardous metals.

"The building needs to be absolutely sealed up immediately," said Pat Evangelista, the EPA's World Trade Center coordinator.

But the LMDC and city officials say fire hazards, such as blocked stairwells, must be fixed and portions of the building need to be stabilized before it can safely resealed.

Air monitors surrounding the building have not detected significant levels of contaminants outside, according to the EPA. But the EPA is worried that the dust could spread if there is another accident.

Before the fire, which was caused by careless smoking, 14 of the building's 40 floors had been successfully demolished.

Additional reporting by Tom Liddy

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