Firefighters Rescue Four from Fire in Brooklyn

Firefighters from Engine 277/Ladder 112
(L to R) FF Milton Mendez, FF Manny Torres, FF Rory Allen, FF Benny Ortiz, Lt. Niels Jorgensen, FF Mike Ashby, FF Mark Loftus, FF Anthony Chaimowitz, FF Anthony Kennedy, FF Chris McKeon, FF Mike Nugent, FF Tom Boyce (detailed from Squad 252)

Units operate at the fire on Central Avenue where three children and their grandmother were rescued through a third floor window. Photo courtesy of Joseph Epstein, FDNY Dispatcher

Firefighters from Ladder 112 and Engine 277 saved three children and their grandmother from a fire in Bushwick, Brooklyn on March 21.

“You get lots of butterflies in your stomach,” said Firefighter Rory Allen of Ladder 112. “It’s what every firefighter lives for, saving someone’s life.”

At 3:39 p.m. firefighters received a call for a fire at 539 Central Avenue for a fire in the stairwell.

Upon arrival they found heavy fire conditions on the second floor of the private dwelling.

Firefighter Mark Loftus of Ladder 112 noticed civilians trapped on the third floor, unable to escape through the interior due to the fire and smoke.

Lt. Niels Jorgensen of Ladder 112 said the company immediately moved their aerial ladder into position and Firefighter Allen began reaching for the children.

Although the window guard hindered their removal, Firefighter Allen was able to grab all three children and pass them to Firefighter Loftus - a boy, 4, and two girls, 2 and 6 months.

At one point, Firefighter Loftus said he had all three children in his arms.

The two firefighters as well as Firefighter Tom Boyce, who was detailed from Squad 252, carried all four victims to safety.

They were transported by EMS to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in stable condition. The fire was deemed under control at 4:08 p.m.

“These guys did a great job - everybody gets to go home,” said Firefighter Boyce.