His work permit was found in the smouldering remains of United Airlines Flight 93 along with Ziad's charred passport.
Prof. Fernández-Pello has research experience in several topics of combustion, but he is better known for his contributions in three main topics: Flame spread over solid fuels, smouldering combustion and microscale combustion.
The fire — reportedly caused by a discarded cigarette smouldering beneath wooden floorboards — started in early afternoon during a comedy called Get 'Em Young.