Veteran FDNY lieutenant Robert Ryan
dies heroically in Staten Island fire
Updated Monday, November 24th 2008, 5:37 AM
Lt. Robert Ryan's mask and air supply were knocked off by the falling debris, which sent him crashing to the floor without protection from the swirling, choking black smoke.
RELATED: TRAGIC REMINDER FOR BRAVEST WIDOWS
Carried out by fellow firefighters, an unconscious Ryan, 46, was rushed to Richmond University Medical Center, where frantic doctors tried in vain to save the devoted father of four.
"He will be sorely missed," said a shaken Capt. Brian Gorman, Ryan's commanding officer at Engine 155. "He was a fireman's fireman. ... He did everything for this place."
Ryan, a 17-year veteran of the FDNY, bravely led the first unit of firefighters into the two-story home at 39 Van Buren St. in New Brighton at 12:32 a.m., less than four minutes after being dispatched.
His group stretched a hose into the building to quickly get water on the fire, which had ignited in the attic and seared a hole through its wooden roof.
RELATED: HE LOVED FAMILY, JOB
Ryan and the other men were on the home's second floor when the ceiling above them - weakened by the fast-moving flames - suddenly gave way.
"I just want to ask all New Yorkers to say a prayer for Robert Ryan, a brave man who lost his life protecting this city," a somber Mayor Bloomberg said after rushing to the hospital.
Ryan joined the FDNY in 1991 and was promoted to lieutenant in March 2001. He worked in three Brooklyn firehouses before being transferred to Engine 6 in Manhattan in the aftermath of the Sept.11 terrorist attacks.
His job: help the firehouse deal with the loss of four men.
"He helped rebuild Engine 6 after 9/11," said Gorman, standing in front of the Engine 155 firehouse, newly decorated with black-and-purple mourning bunting and a U.S. flag flying at half-staff.
"He'll leave a huge hole in Engine 155," he said. "He was the best guy we ever could've had."
A life-long Staten Island resident, Ryan had four children: Chris, 17; Kayla, 12; Alex, 10, and Emma, 8. His widow is Kathleen.
Although fire marshals are still investigating what ignited the small blaze, FDNY officials said it appeared to have been caused by wiring in the attic. It did not appear suspicious, officials said.
The two-alarm fire was put under control at 1:31 a.m.
The owner of the home, Lorraine Jefferson, was sleeping when the fire ignited, but she ran out safely after she was alerted by a neighbor who smelled smoke.
"I'm just glad I could help a neighbor," said Helen Collins, who pounded on the front door until Jefferson escaped into the frigid night air. "She said, 'You saved my life.'"
Standing near three white candles placed outside the charred home as a tribute to the fallen firefighter, one of Jefferson's relatives gave thanks for the bravery of firefighters.
"You appreciate what they do for a living. Nothing is normal. Nothing is routine," said David Sambula, 41. "It's really tragic."
In a touch of sad irony, the portion of Van Buren St. where Ryan lost his life bears a name born of another FDNY tragedy.
The tiny stretch was renamed John R. Fischer Way as a tribute to one of the 343 FDNY members killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Fischer, who was 46 when he died, lived much of his life in the quiet, tight-knit neighborhood, where he and his wife, Jean, raised their three children.
An 18-year veteran of the FDNY, Fischer was assigned to Ladder 20 in 2001, and his company was among the first to respond after terrorists flew the first plane into the World Trade Center.
Ryan is the second firefighter to die in the line of duty this year.
With Mike Jaccarino and Erin Durkin
Manhattan Live l Brooklyn Live l Bronx/SI Live l Queens Live l Citywide Live