FDNY launches investigation after man falls to death during Sunset Park fire
The man fell to his death while trying to escape the burning building on 9th Avenue earlier this week.
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Following a deadly fire on Monday in Sunset Park, the FDNY confirms a full investigation is underway into what went wrong.
The victim, 53-year-old Ashiq Hussein, was seen on video trying to climb out of a third-floor window during the May 19 fire. In footage shared on the Citizen App, a firefighter on a ladder reaches toward Hussein just before he falls to the sidewalk below.
In a statement to News 12, an FDNY spokesperson said:
“We are aware of an incident that took place at an all-hands fire in Brooklyn earlier this week. As is standard practice, we began a proactive investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a civilian immediately, inclusive of our Fire Marshals, Fire Operations, and our Division of Safety.”
A source close to the FDNY tells News 12 that the ladder involved in the rescue attempt has been taken out of service. That source also confirmed that no firefighters have been disciplined, and the member seen in the video without full bunker gear was a chauffeur from a second-due engine company. The source adds that it's not unusual for available members to assist on scene during an active fire.
The fire broke out around 7:08 a.m. at 3902 9th Ave., inside a three-story mixed-use building. Three other people were injured, including a firefighter who suffered a leg injury. The fire was brought under control by 8:10 a.m.
The Department of Buildings (DOB) has since issued a Full Vacate Order. Inspectors found illegal Single Room Occupancies (SROs) on the second and third floors—violations that did not match the building’s Certificate of Occupancy. The owner has been ordered to seal all openings and will face violations.
People who knew Hussein told News 12 he was a kind and respected member of the community who had lived in the building for years after moving from Pakistan.
Fire Marshals are continuing their investigation to determine whether anything could have been done differently during the rescue effort.
