Firefighters Rescue Girl Who Fell 15 Stories

A 12-year old girl who survived a 15-story fall down a chimney is expected to make a full recovery after firefighters rescued her on July 31.

Although it’s unclear why the girl was playing on the roof-top of the historic Westbeth Building at 55 Bethune St. in Greenwich Village, firefighters said they were amazed to find the girl only had sustained two broken legs and minor head trauma when they responded at around 10:30 p.m.

A build-up of soot is credited for cushioning her fall, and ultimately saving her life.

“I was very surprised when her hand came out from the access door of the chimney - I jumped back two feet,” said Lt. Simon Ressner of Ladder 12, who made the initial contact with the girl. “She was covered in soot, all you could see were her eyes, and she was visibly shaken-up, but we told her we were going to get her out.”

Firefighters immediately worked to stabilize the girl and remove her from the narrow shaft.

“The teamwork amongst everyone on-scene was great, whatever we needed it was right there,” recalled Firefighter John Taliercio of Ladder 12 during a press conference at Engine 3/Ladder 12 on August 1.

He said he put a collar around the girl’s neck before she was removed and transported by EMS to Bellevue Hospital Center in stable condition.

“It’s miraculous, I just hope she gets better,” said Lt. Ressner, looking back on an outcome that could have been much worse. “It’s a great feeling to know she survived.”