Report and photos by Lou Minutoli
A 71-year-old man is alive today after a dramatic rescue by a firefighter from the village of Hempstead on Long Island, New York.
Emergency fire units were dispatched to the Alicia Court home around 4:30am Tuesday morning, January 24, 2012.
Police arriving first at the scene reported a working fire with a heavy fire condition. Assistant Chief Scott Clark of the Hempstead Fire Department began a search for occupants well before the arrival of the first engine company.
One side of the home was engulfed in flames and thick, black smoke was pushing from the remaining windows on both levels of the two-story, colonial-style home. Without protection of a charged hoseline, Chief Clark battled his way through dangerous conditions and was able to locate the resident in a first floor hallway.
The man was overcome by smoke and partially burned. Chief Clark initiated removal of the injured man to the exterior with the help of additional truck company members.
Once outside, county paramedics immediately started life saving procedures and the man was transported to a nearby burn facility.
Nassau County Fire Marshals were called to the scene to investigate a possible cause.
The injured resident remains in critical condition at the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.
More photos and video at www.firstonscenephotos.com/Hempstead
