A man barricaded himself inside a home in Ocean Hill on Thursday afternoon and set it on fire, keeping NYPD officers and FDNY firefighters at bay for hours.
On Aug. 8, officers from the 73rd Precinct responded to 2204 Fulton St. shortly after 4:45 p.m. They found the man had barricaded himself in the basement of a four-story, multi-unit building.
Following a brief standoff with precinct officers, the Emergency Service Unit, and hostage negotiators, the man ignited the residence. FDNY units gained access to the building at 6:45 p.m. as smoke billowed from the structure.
Firefighters rescued the man, who was unconscious from severe smoke inhalation and burns. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital in critical condition.
FDNY personnel also saved a black-and-white cat from the home. The cat, covered in soot and unconscious, was revived after responders administered CPR and oxygen. The fire was brought under control by 8:05 p.m.
One firefighter sustained minor injuries.
