Brooklyn Fire: Off-duty FDNY firefighter saves man from burning NYC apartment

BROOKLYN, New York (WABC) — An off-duty firefighter heroically saved a man from a burning apartment in Brooklyn Friday morning.

Joseph Pendergast, an FDNY firefighter for seven years, was driving to work when he noticed smoke coming from the four-story building at 152 Parkside Avenue.

A woman told Pendergast there was a man inside the apartment, along with nine dogs. When he opened the door, he knew he had to act quickly.

“There was an electric bike about a meter from the front door that was just on fire to the right,” Pendergast said. “There was another electric bike about 15 feet from the apartment.

Just as Pendergrast discovered the man and his fellow firefighters were trying to ensure their safety, one of the electric bike's batteries exploded.

“I think I broke my hand closing the door, or I'm not too sure, but it lit up on us real quick,” Pendergast added.

Pendergast and another firefighter were transported to Kings County Hospital with minor injuries.

The rescued man was also sent to the hospital for treatment, according to the FDNY. Four of his nine dogs were rescued.

“Very scary,” said apartment tenant Masha Roland. “Yes, definitely. Definitely. Because I know the people who live here. I've lived here my whole life.”

Authorities believe the fire may have been started by lithium-ion batteries, with the investigation still ongoing.

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