Investigation Ongoing After Fatal Ladder Rescue

By Y.M. Lowy

Officials are continuing to investigate the fire that broke out Monday morning on 39th Street and 9th Avenue, focusing on what went wrong during the rescue.

The fire, which sent flames pouring from a second-floor window, left multiple residents trapped by smoke. During the evacuation, 53-year-old Uber driver Hussain fell to his death after a firefighter’s ladder retracted beneath him. He had just stepped onto it from a third-floor window when the top section gave way. The ladder has since been taken out of service.

While the flames were quickly brought under control and no other fatalities were reported, questions remain. 

FDNY Fire Marshals are now looking into the mechanical failure of the ladder that turned a rescue effort into a tragedy.