NEW YORK — Two NYPD officers from the 25 Precinct required hospital treatment after rescuing two children and their parents from the top floor of a burning residential building in northern Manhattan on November 10.
The incident unfolded on a Thursday night at approximately 7:30 p.m. Officers Villanueva and Contaldi were on patrol when they observed thick smoke pouring from a Fifth Avenue building. They heard screams for help coming from an upper floor.
With no time to wait for the FDNY, Officers Villanueva and Contaldi entered the building.
They encountered so much smoke they could hardly see. Despite the poor visibility, both officers forged forward using the staircase railing to guide them upstairs to the trapped residents.
On a landing, between the third and fourth floors, they encountered two small children, a boy and a girl, with their parents.
Officers Contaldi and Villanueva each carried one child down the stairs, and guided the family safely out of the building.
To assure that every resident had vacated, and at great risk to their own safety, Officers Villanueva and Contaldi reclimbed the staircase and knocked on every apartment door along the way until they were sure all residents were safe.
Yet, at that point, it became clear outside that Officers Villanueva and Contaldi required medical attention. The officers were taken to a local Hospital, and released later that night.
