A Brooklyn neighborhood is reeling after a horrifying accident during a routine rescue ended in tragedy. Ashiq Hussein, 53, was just moments away from safety when a fire escape ladder suddenly retracted, causing him to fall three stories to his death.
The incident happened early Monday morning, May 19, in the Sunset Park area. According to the FDNY, a fire broke out on the second floor of a mixed-use building on 9th Avenue just after 7 a.m. Firefighters rushed to the scene and began evacuating residents. Hussein, who lived on the third floor, tried to escape down the ladder. As he stepped onto the top rung, the ladder abruptly slid back, sending him crashing onto the bodega awning below, then to the concrete sidewalk.
Hussein was rushed to Maimonides Medical Center but was pronounced dead shortly after. The city medical examiner confirmed the cause of death as blunt-force trauma to the head and torso.
Hussein’s death has devastated those who knew him. A hard-working taxi driver and devoted father, he had immigrated from Pakistan to build a better future for his family. Friends say he was planning to reunite with his wife, three daughters, and son after years apart.
“He just wanted his kids to have a better life,” a family friend shared. “He was an awesome dad. It’s a loss none of us are going to get over any time soon.”
The FDNY confirmed they have launched an internal investigation into what went wrong. In a statement, the department said their Fire Marshals, Fire Operations team, and Division of Safety are all involved in the probe. The ladder involved has been pulled from service for examination.
The blaze, which fire crews were able to control within an hour, also left two people suffering from smoke inhalation. One firefighter was treated for a leg injury but is expected to recover.
As the investigation continues, the Sunset Park community is left mourning a man who gave everything for his family, only to lose his life in a tragic twist of fate.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.