Ailing Newark Firefighter ‘Breathing On His Own’: Authorities

NEWARK, NJ — An ailing Newark firefighter is “breathing on his own” and is in stable condition after being critically injured during a fire at a local tire shop last week, authorities say.

On New Year’s Day, the Newark Department of Public Safety announced that veteran firefighter Paul Leber, 38, has been upgraded from critical to stable condition.

“They removed Paul Leber's breathing tube and disconnected him from the ventilator and he is breathing on his own,” Deputy Director Raul Malave wrote Tuesday. “Fingers crossed but he is making small improvements each day.”

• See related article: Newark Firefighter In Critical Condition, Injured Battling Blaze

According to Newark authorities, Leber, a 10-year veteran of the department, was injured during a Dec. 30 fire at Velez Tire Shop on Park Avenue. While responding to the fire with other members of Engine 7, including a probationary firefighter, Leber and his peers were ordered out of the building as conditions worsened.

As the firefighters left, Leber became disoriented. Although members of Engine 7 and Rescue 1 went back into the building and rescued him, Leber was transported to University Hospital for treatment and listed in critical condition. He was later moved to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx for further treatment, authorities said.

The cause and nature of the fire is being investigated by arson detectives from the Newark Fire Division, authorities said Monday.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose congratulated the firefighters who rescued Leber for their "bravery in the face of danger to save the life of a fellow firefighter."

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Photo: Newark Department of Public Safety