A young FDNY firefighter is being hailed for his quick actions after he helped rescue several people from a burning home while he was off duty.
According to a Facebook post by the FDNY, firefighter James Lugo with Engine 320 was visiting his father in Queens on Sunday when he saw people running into the street yelling that an adjacent home was on fire.
"I went to the house and searched the first floor to make sure no one else was in there and got everyone out," Lugo said. "After that, I went looking for the fire."
The fire was located in the basement, and Lugo contained it by closing the door. When he came back outside, he saw that there were two people on the roof.
"I went across the street to my father's house, grabbed a 24-foot portable ladder he had, and we brought it over and assisted the individuals off the house," Lugo said. "When the truck and engine showed up, I let them know that the fire was in the basement and they were able to get to it right away."
The FDNY praised Lugo in the post, saying his quick thinking and understanding of the importance in closing the door made all the difference for the arriving crew.
"Due to his quick, decisive actions, Engine 316 members were able to quickly stretch a line through the rear basement door and extinguish the fire," the department said in the post.
