FDNY Firefighter Dies After Ceiling Collapse In Brooklyn Blaze

NEW YORK CITY — An FDNY firefighter was killed by a ceiling collapse in a Brooklyn blaze, authorities said.

Timothy Klein, 31, died, and eight other firefighters were injured, after a fire quickly consumed a home along Avenue N in Canarsie, officials said.

Klein, a six-year FDNY veteran, is the 1,157th department member to die in the line of duty.

“New York City has lost one of its bravest today – Firefighter Timothy Klein,” said Mayor Adams. “He lost his life doing the job we asked of him every day – bravely fighting to save others from fire.”

The fire began Sunday about 1:50 p.m. at 108-26 Avenue N, officials said.

Firefighters responded to a call about smoke in the area and saw flames in the building, authorities said. But conditions in the home quickly deteriorated, and a commander ordered all firefighters to leave for their safety.

As the order went out, a ceiling collapsed and injured four Engine Company 257 members, including Klein, authorities said.

Other firefighters managed to pull Klein from the building, along with his injured comrades, and medics rushed them to nearby hospitals, officials said. Klein died from his injuries at Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, while two others received treatment for burns and other injuries from the collapse, authorities said.

Nine firefighters in total suffered injuries in the blaze, officials said.

Klein is survived by his father — retired FDNY Firefighter Patrick Klein — his mother, Diane, and his three sisters, authorities said. He was assigned to Ladder Company 170 but worked in Engine Company 257 during the fire, officials said.

He’s the first FDNY on-duty death since Jesse Gerhard, 33, of Long Island, who died in February from a medical episode in a firehouse one day after battling a fire.