A tragic incident unfolded in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood when a 53-year-old man fell to his death from a malfunctioning fire department ladder while attempting to escape a fire. The incident occurred at an apartment building on Ninth Avenue early Monday morning.
The man, later identified as Ashiq Hussain, a native of Pakistan and an Uber driver, was seen in a video climbing out of a third-story window as smoke billowed out behind him. A firefighter was waiting at the top of a retractable ladder to assist him. However, as Hussain stepped onto the first rung, the top section of the ladder suddenly retracted, causing him to fall onto the awning of a deli below before hitting the sidewalk.
Hussain was immediately rushed to Maimonides Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to an NYPD spokesperson. The firefighter who was on the ladder managed to maintain his grip and stay on the ladder as it retracted.
The incident also resulted in two other residents being treated for smoke inhalation, and a firefighter was hospitalized for a leg injury sustained while battling the fire. The FDNY is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
Hussain’s family is seeking answers regarding the malfunctioning ladder. They questioned whether the ladder was properly locked and expressed their grief and anger over the incident. Hussain’s cousin, Mazhar Iqbal, blamed the Fire Department for the tragedy, stating that it had “ruined the family’s life.”
The FDNY has since removed the ladder used in the rescue from service and launched an investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for the department stated that they were aware of the incident and had begun a proactive investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding Hussain’s death.
No firefighters have been disciplined or taken off duty in relation to the incident.