A devastating fire in Brooklyn took the life of 53-year-old Pakistani immigrant Ashiq Hussain , who plunged to his death when a rescue ladder abruptly retracted as he attempted to escape. The tragic incident was caught on video, showing the moment the ladder gave way while a firefighter stood at its top.
Ashiq Hussain was an Uber driver living in Sunset Park . He was seen in shocking bystander footage attempting to climb out of a third-storey window at 3902 Ninth Avenue just after 7 am on Monday. As smoke poured from the window behind him, a firefighter waited at the top of a retractable ladder to help him escape.
But just as Hussain stepped onto the first rung, the top portion of the ladder unexpectedly slid back into itself.
The video shows Hussain spinning in the air before landing on a deli awning and then falling to the ground.
He was rushed to Maimonides Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police confirmed, according to the New York Post.
“The ladder just retracted as soon as he put his foot on it,” said a witness who shared the video with local media. “It was horrifying.”
The firefighter positioned at the top of the ladder managed to hold on and was not thrown off.
Two other residents suffered from smoke inhalation, and a firefighter was hospitalised with a leg injury sustained while battling the flames, police sources were quoted as saying to the Post.
FDNY officials have launched a full investigation into the ladder malfunction and the cause of the fire. The ladder involved has been taken out of service.
“We are aware of an incident that took place at an all-hands fire in Brooklyn earlier this week,” an FDNY spokesperson said. “As is standard practice, we began a proactive investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a civilian immediately, inclusive of our Fire Marshals, Fire Operations, and our Division of Safety.”
Hussain’s grieving family is demanding answers, saying his death could have been prevented if the ladder had functioned properly.
“I blame the Fire Department in this,” said his cousin, 52-year-old Mazhar Iqbal, speaking to the Daily News. “They did really wrong. They took the head of the family. They ruined the family’s life.”
Hussain was originally from Pakistan and had been living and working in New York as a driver to support his family.
No firefighters were suspended or disciplined. The FDNY investigation remains ongoing.
Ashiq Hussain was an Uber driver living in Sunset Park . He was seen in shocking bystander footage attempting to climb out of a third-storey window at 3902 Ninth Avenue just after 7 am on Monday. As smoke poured from the window behind him, a firefighter waited at the top of a retractable ladder to help him escape.
HORROR IN NYC: FDNY probes fatal ladder failure in Brooklyn fire rescue. Ashiq Hussain (53) Pakistani immigrant, fell from a 2nd floor window while escaping a fire on Monday. The ladder collapsed, causing Hussain to strike his head on the pavement. He later died at the hospital. pic.twitter.com/DhaxYgZHch
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 22, 2025
But just as Hussain stepped onto the first rung, the top portion of the ladder unexpectedly slid back into itself.
The video shows Hussain spinning in the air before landing on a deli awning and then falling to the ground.
He was rushed to Maimonides Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police confirmed, according to the New York Post.
“The ladder just retracted as soon as he put his foot on it,” said a witness who shared the video with local media. “It was horrifying.”
The firefighter positioned at the top of the ladder managed to hold on and was not thrown off.
Two other residents suffered from smoke inhalation, and a firefighter was hospitalised with a leg injury sustained while battling the flames, police sources were quoted as saying to the Post.
FDNY officials have launched a full investigation into the ladder malfunction and the cause of the fire. The ladder involved has been taken out of service.
“We are aware of an incident that took place at an all-hands fire in Brooklyn earlier this week,” an FDNY spokesperson said. “As is standard practice, we began a proactive investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a civilian immediately, inclusive of our Fire Marshals, Fire Operations, and our Division of Safety.”
Hussain’s grieving family is demanding answers, saying his death could have been prevented if the ladder had functioned properly.
“I blame the Fire Department in this,” said his cousin, 52-year-old Mazhar Iqbal, speaking to the Daily News. “They did really wrong. They took the head of the family. They ruined the family’s life.”
Hussain was originally from Pakistan and had been living and working in New York as a driver to support his family.
No firefighters were suspended or disciplined. The FDNY investigation remains ongoing.
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