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VETERAN FDNY LIEUTENANT DIES HEROICALLY IN STATEN ISLAND FIRE
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Posted On: Nov 23, 2008 (18:32:37)
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Sunday, November 23, 2008 -
A veteran FDNY lieutenant died this morning when a ceiling collapsed on him as he battled a surging fire in a Staten Island home, officials said.
Lt. Robert Ryan's mask and air supply were knocked off by the falling debris, which sent him hurtling to the floor, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
Carried out by his fellow firefighters, an unconscious Ryan, 46, was rushed to Richmond University Medical Center but could not be revived.
Ryan, a 17-year-veteran of the FDNY, led the first unit of firefighters into the burning two-story home at 39 Van Buren St. in New Brighton at 12:32 a.m., less than four minutes after being dispatched.
His group stretched a hose into the building in order to quickly get water on the fire, which had ignited in the home's attic.
Ryan, who was assigned to Engine 155, and the other men were in the home's second floor when the ceiling above them - weakened by the fast-moving flames - suddenly gave way.
"I just want to ask all New Yorkers to say a prayer for Robert Ryan, a brave man who lost his life protecting this city," said a somber Mayor Bloomberg, who was flanked by fire officials at an early-morning hospital press conference to announce the death.
Though fire marshals are still investigating what ignited the small blaze, FDNY officials said it appeared to have been sparked by wiring in the attic. It does not appear suspicious, officials said.
A lifelong Staten Island resident, Ryan had two children -- Chris, 17, and Kayla, 12 - and two step-children - Alex, 10, and Emma, 8 - with his wife Kathleen, Mayor Bloomberg said.
Ryan joined the FDNY in 1991 and was promoted to lieutenant in March 2001. He worked in three Brooklyn firehouses before being transferred to Engine 6 in Manhattan in the aftermath of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks.
"He helped rebuild a firehouse which lost four men," said FDNY Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano, who added that Ryan had been badly burned on duty in 2005 and worked for more than a year to rejoin the Fire Department.
"He was an experienced, dedicated fireman," Cassano said.
Ryan is the second firefighter to die in the line of duty this year.
The woman who lives in the building was sleeping when the fire ignited, but she ran out safely after she was alerted by a neighbor who smelled the smoke.
"I'm just glad I could help a neighbor," said Helen Collins, who pounded on the front door until the woman escaped into the frigid night air.
Collins' father, Gregory, a retired city cop, placed three white candles outside his home as a tribute to the fallen firefighter.
"It's sorrow when something happens to one of them out there," said Gregory Collins. " trying to save our lives."
The two-alarm fire was put under control at 1:31 a.m. No other injuries were reported, officials said.
Article courtesy FireFighterCloseCalls.com
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