Firefighters criticise Charlotte Church over September 11 remarks
New York Fire Department officials have described Charlotte Church as 'stupid' after comments she made about September 11.
The 15-year-old criticised the city's firefighters for becoming celebrities in their own right.
But a spokeswoman for the New York Fire Department said the singer did not understand what had happened.
Church said people in New York had become 'overdramatic' about the terror attacks in which at least 3,000 people were killed.
In the interview she said: 'They went from here in society to celebrities.
'They are even invited here to present television awards, which I just don't agree with.'
The fire department spokeswoman said: 'She is a 15-year-old kid who said something stupid.
'We look at it and say it is pretty harsh and obviously she is young and does not fully understand about what took place.
'We are dealing with bigger issues than a 15-year-old singer just now.'
The New York Post newspaper called the singer 'devilish', saying: 'She may have the voice of an angel but teen singing sensation Charlotte Church has a bit of a devilish attitude.'
Church now claims her views were misrepresented.
She said: 'In a personal visit to Ground Zero to offer my respect and prayers, as anyone who witnessed the devastation for themselves will agree, I was both moved and humbled by the experience.
'The New York firefighters display remarkable courage and sacrifice every day and their work and efforts at Ground Zero are an extension of that. To myself and others around the world they are true heroes.'
Story filed: 13:48 Thursday 29th November 2001
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1682860.stm
