Two Good Samaritans, a Fire Escape and a Ladder Save Man From N.Y. Apartment Fire

A man trying to escape a fire in a Washington Heights apartment building by dangling out of a window was rescued by Good Samaritans who used a fire escape and a ladder to save him. According to the New York television station, CBS Local 2, the trapped man was screaming for help when Roscindo Lopez, the superintendent of the adjacent building, along with Guardencio Portillo fleetly sprang into action. Using a ladder, one of the quick-thinking men used Lopez’s ladder to reach the victim by turning it sideways and creating a makeshift platform to bridge a gap between the building and the dangling man. Guardencio Portillo bravely walked across the bridged ladder and quickly brought the man to safety. As the two men walked back to the fire escape on the ladder, FDNY firefighters arrived to help with the rescue. News reports say the rescued man suffered minor injuries and was hospitalized for treatment, and is expected to make a full recovery. The importance of a fire escape may often be overlooked, especially by homeowners. They often don’t recognize its added safety contribution until they get a close encounter with death due to house fire or criminal invasions. It’s an ill-fated fact that uneventful emergencies may happen, so to be on the safe side, always stay a step ahead when it comes to home or business office safety. Get those fire escape ladders inspect now !