Quick-thinking firefighters pulled an elderly man from his smoke-filled East Flatbush home after a large blaze broke out Wednesday morning, fire officials said.
The fire broke out shortly after 9 am on Oct. 21 at 620 E. 40th St. in East Flatbush. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire blowing out of the basement windows of the home and an elderly man hanging out of an attic window. Responders with Ladder Company 157 were able to rescue the man from the window as the blaze spread and heavy smoke enveloped his home.
Fire commanders called for “all hands [on deck],” bringing in additional firefighters to try to save the nearly century-old, wood-frame home. Meanwhile, Firefighters Christopher Howard and Chris Mascali climbed the ladder and were able save the man, who was taken to Kings County Hospital, where he was treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire was brought under control by 10:15 am, but by then the basement and first floor suffered heavy damage. Officials say heavy clutter in the basement made the fire especially difficult to control.
The blaze is currently under investigation by fire marshals, though officials said Wednesday it was not considered suspicious.
This story first appeared on AMNY.com.
