Engine 211 / Ladder 119 [7-6-14]
On the night of July 5th, 2014 New York City Firefighters in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn operated on the scene of a second alarm fire located at 75 Wilson Street off of Bedford Avenue [Box 0316]. Engine 211 and Ladder 119, the first engine and truck company to arrive on scene, put their focus on making their way up in the high rise building to locate and extinguish the fire while searching for any persons within. Fire was located on the nineteenth floor of the twenty one story building. During the operation at least one mayday was transmitted on the fire floor. Immediately the FAST [initially Ladder 110] and others made their way up to locate the downed firefighter.
One firefighter was removed unconscious from the fire floor and transported to Woodhull Medical Center [two other firefighters and two civilians received minor injuries in the blaze]. This firefighter, Lieutenant Gordon [Matthew] Ambelas, would succumb to his injuries despite the best efforts of his fellow firefighters. The 40 year old lieutenant had fourteen years with FDNY and was a married father of two with daughters aged 5 and 8 years old. Two weeks prior to his passing Lieutenant Ambelas was recognized for his efforts in extricating a child from a steel roll down gate in May of 2014. Aside from this feat he was known for many other incidents in which his actions made the community a better place and ensured that people live to see another day. On the morning following his death his fellow brothers and sisters emerged from the Hooper Street firehouse to hang buntings outside the bay doors. Condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lieutenant Gordon Matthew Ambelas.
Read MoreOne firefighter was removed unconscious from the fire floor and transported to Woodhull Medical Center [two other firefighters and two civilians received minor injuries in the blaze]. This firefighter, Lieutenant Gordon [Matthew] Ambelas, would succumb to his injuries despite the best efforts of his fellow firefighters. The 40 year old lieutenant had fourteen years with FDNY and was a married father of two with daughters aged 5 and 8 years old. Two weeks prior to his passing Lieutenant Ambelas was recognized for his efforts in extricating a child from a steel roll down gate in May of 2014. Aside from this feat he was known for many other incidents in which his actions made the community a better place and ensured that people live to see another day. On the morning following his death his fellow brothers and sisters emerged from the Hooper Street firehouse to hang buntings outside the bay doors. Condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lieutenant Gordon Matthew Ambelas.
