Blogs

After helping family escape fire, Queens man dies retrieving his cell phone

Posted by Troy Porter on November 18, 2009 at 3:42pm
A 75-year-old man helped his family escape his burning Queens home early Monday - but died after running back into the house for his cell phone, witnesses and FDNY sources said. Nathaniel Lagree was found lifeless in the basement of his smoky St. Albans home a short time after the fire ignited at 6:20 a.m., FDNY officials said. Lagree helped pry open the front door of his Zoller Road home to free his wife, Betty, and daughter, Patricia, from the choking smoke, witnesses said. But because the cordless home phone he carried out was not working, Lagree dashed back into the dangerous home to grab his mobile phone, witnesses and the sources said. "He saved them," said Bryant Lattimer, a schoolteacher who lives next door. "I don't know why he went back - but when he did, he didn't come out." FULL: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/11/16/2009-11-16_queens_man_nathaniel_lagree_dies_after_helping_family_escape_fire.html
Views: 54

Community

Culture

Entertainment

Food

Health