Two FDNY firefighters seriously hurt, one saved after heroic EMTs respond to ‘mayday’ call: officials

Two FDNY firefighters were seriously injured in a Bronx house fire Friday afternoon, including one who went into respiratory arrest and was saved by a pair of heroic EMTs who rushed to a “mayday” call, authorities said.

The one firefighter, who may have been suffering from cyanide poisoning as a result of smoke inhalation, collapsed and lost consciousness while battling the blaze at a two-story home on White Plains Road near Patterson Avenue in Clason Point, according to FDNY officials.

The smoke-eater was manning the fire hose nozzle as they moved in on the intense flames — and quickly reported “having a difficult time breathing,” Fire Chief John Hodgens said at a Friday night press conference.

The ailing Bravest was told to get out of the house, but passed out as he was leaving, according to Hodgens.

His fellow first responders carried him to the sidewalk, at which point he was in respiratory arrest, according to the chief.

That’s when two quick-thinking EMS lieutenants jumped into action.

The medics began resuscitating the firefighter and administered “a life-saving drug” that reverses the effects of the cyanide poisoning, according to FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.

“Their swift action is probably the reason our member is alive today,” Kavanagh said at a press conference at Jacobi Medical Center Friday evening.

“It truly takes a team and that team did everything today to make this a good outcome and not a sad one for us. We’re very grateful for that.”

Kavanagh believes the use of the drug hydroxocobalamin saved the firefighter’s life.

“It does reverse the effects of cyanide poisoning which is present in smoke inhalation,” the commissioner said. “We do believe that might have saved his life.”

The firefighter — and another injured smoke-eater — were taken to the hospital in serious but stable condition.

A third injured member of New York’s Bravest refused medical attention.

Neighbor Joyran Gonzalez said he’d stepped out of his home to head to the store when he saw multiple fire trucks responding to the scene.

“I see one of the firemen — he was like coming out…he was out of breath, out of air, and they put him in the ambulance to take him to the hospital.”

“He was just like suffocating — he said he needs some air,” Gonzalez added. “He was one of the first ones that went inside the house.”

The fire broke out on the second floor of the house around 3 p.m., quickly ripping through the two stories and basement and jumping to the home next door, officials said.

Video posted to Citizen showed thick billows of dark gray smoke filling the sky.

“It was intense and like everything was black,” Gonzalez said. “It was blacked out. Like it was dark.”

More than 100 firefighters and EMTs responded within five minutes of the blaze, and a “mayday” alarm was sounded shortly after.

“A mayday means that a member is critically injured,” Kavanagh said.

The firefighter who lost consciousness will spend the night recovering at Jacobi, but Hodges noted that he is “awake and alert.”

He was not identified, but officials said he’s been on the job for four years after serving three overseas active military tours.

“So, heroic. He’s an Army member. He’s been deployed overseas for combat duties. He’s the real deal hero,” Hodges said.

The other seriously injured firefighter was treated and returned home.

Mayor Eric Adams commended the “heroic” smoke-eaters, and commended the “level of expertise that our firefighters bring.”

“Our first responders should know that they have the full support of the people of the city and they appreciate how committed they are to doing their job. Today’s incident is a reflection and a reminder of how dangerous a job of a firefighter is and how they are really optimal professionals in responding and dealing with these crises,” he said.

The blaze was brought under control by 4:40 p.m., but even after the flames were knocked down, dozens of firefighters lined the street. The windows of the home appeared shattered.

Next-door neighbor Khalil Simmons told The Post he was inside his own kitchen when he realized his neighbor’s window was on fire.

He and his uncle scurried to get their two dogs out of the home, but couldn’t find their cat, he said.

“It was black smoke,” Simmons said of the scene outside. “A little bit of fire, but when we crossed the street, it was like red fire all over and it got on our house a little bit.”

“I never thought something like that would happen,” he said.

Fire marshals are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Additional reporting by Tina Moore, Joe Marino and Amanda Woods