A fire in Queens turned into a story of heroism after NYPD officers and the FDNY came together to save a woman’s life in Jamaica. NY1’s Shannan Ferry filed the following report.
When heavy flames broke out at a home on 169th Street in Jamaica Monday, NYPD Officers Robert Quattrock and Greg Levine happened to be right around the corner.
“We just got done responding to a job,” Quattrock said. “We saw the house was on fire. There was a lot of smoke coming from the residence.”
They say they jumped into action, broke the door in and found a woman unconscious in the home.
Without any protective fire gear on, they headed deeper into the flames, picked the woman up and began dragging her towards the door.
“But there was just a lot of debris, and everything on top,” Levine said. “And it felt like she was caught on something.”
That’s when FDNY Lieutenant Gregory Damato arrived on the scene. Together, the trio managed to get the woman to safety.
“We work like that all the time, hand in hand in the street,” Damato said. “It’s just nice when we can recognize it.”
“New York City police officers, New York City firefighters protect life and property in this city, and today was a fine example of the teamwork,” said FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard.
Although the officers from the 113th Precinct and the fire lieutenant saved this woman’s life, they say there’s nothing heroic about what they did. They say it’s just part of the job.
“Once I saw her, I knew we had to do whatever it takes to get her out,” Levine said.
“We just happened to be there at the right time,” Quattrock said.
Neighbor Karyne Buckley hopes the story makes others realize the risks first responders take every day.
“These people are good people. They are there to help us. And they did save a lady today,” Buckley said.
Officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation. NY1 is told the woman they rescued was sent to the hospital and is in serious condition.
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