NYPD officers save residents from building fire in Chinatown
Members of the NYPD performed a heroic fire rescue in Manhattan earlier this month.
The cops carried older residents from their apartments as smoke began to fill the building. It happened on Elizabeth Street in Chinatown, right across the street from the NYPD’s 5th Precinct.
The officers described it as a total team effort. Many of them ran out of the station house and into the building that was on fire. The rescues were caught on the officers’ body-worn cameras.
One after one, the cops physically carried out a 99-year-old woman, a 91-year-old woman, and a 96-year-old man. They all live above a tea shop, which went up in flames on Dec. 18 around 9 p.m.
“We knew it was time to do what we do as police officers,” said Sgt. William Finan.
The officers called for the FDNY but knew they only had seconds to spare before the residents could become trapped.
“We had to get the people out. We weren’t going to wait. I thought of my own mother standing at the door and I wanted her out,” said Sgt. Jeremy Banfield.
Each officer assisted the other in making the six-story evacuation, which they completed in the minutes before firefighters arrived.
“I felt the glass, it’s hot and intense. That’s when the sergeant went in, and I followed them [all],” said detective Rodney Rosado.
They triaged the trio inside the precinct, though everyone refused medical attention because of the officers’ quick reactions.
“There isn’t fear. It’s I gotta get to work and do what I can because other lives are at risk. Get the job done and get everyone out of here,” said Sgt. William D’Ottavio.
D’Ottavio used to work for the Emergency Services Unit, which gives the cops firefighter training as well. However, in this instance, they only had their uniforms.
Yvonne Lei’s grandmother was one of the people the officers saved.
“She was really shaken by it. She knew what was happening and was glad someone was there for her,” Lei said. “I just want to thank the NYPD for putting themselves out there and rescuing everyone.”
It’s believed the fire started in the restaurant’s ice machine.
-
LIVE
Razeo
12 hours agoReturn to the land of Valheim with the crew. Quest for the flame sword continues
334 watching -
LIVE
Game On!
9 hours agoThe WORST officiated TNF game of all time!
512 watching -
LIVE
Vigilant News Network
13 hours agoTucker Carlson Delivers Powerful Election Prediction | The Daily Dose
2,044 watching -
LIVE
ttvglamourx
9 hours ago $14.81 earned24 HOURS OF CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS 6 !DISCORD
639 watching -
LIVE
Jeff Ahern
1 hour agoFriday Freak out with Jeff Ahern (6am Pacific)
170 watching -
8:24
Dr. Nick Zyrowski
3 hours agoWhat To Eat After Fasting - The BEST Foods You Should Eat
157 -
11:32
IsaacButterfield
4 hours ago $0.20 earnedPLUS SIZED MODEL CAN’T LOSE WEIGHT
2195 -
1:22:52
The Anthony Rogers Show
16 hours agoLIVE @ St. Andrews Cinema - Episode 1
881 -
33:09
The Lou Holtz Show
15 hours agoThe Lou Holtz Show Ep 19 | Newt Gingrich on Leadership, Values, and Restoring the Nation #podcast
161 -
57:19
The Tom Renz Show
20 hours agoAre Harris & the Democrats Trying to Stoke Another Attempt on Trump's Life?
1.68K2