FDNY Commissioner: Injured Firefighter 'A Very Lucky Individual' After Surviving 30-Foot Fall Off Ladder
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A firefighter survived a frightening fall off a ladder on Sunday night.
The incident happened on Mayflower Avenue in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx at around 9 p.m.
The firefighter, who was rushed to Jacobi Hospital, was said to have suffered back and neck injuries after falling off a ladder that was propped next to a third-floor window, CBS2's Natalie Duddridge reported.
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the firefighter is 38 years old, a married father of three and a 12-year veteran of the department.
"Very early in the operation, the firefighter assigned to roof position was climbing to the roof on a 35-foot extension ladder, lost his footing and fell 30 feet to the pavement," Nigro said. "That firefighter received serious injuries. He is stable and he is conscious. ... He is a very lucky individual.
"It's a very dangerous job," Nigro added. "I've said this over and over at these operations and sometimes these things happen."
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Nigro said the third floor of the building was apparently being used as a marijuana grow house.
Firefighters managed to get the fire under control within an hour. Nigro said the Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the blaze.