Baby passed through window in dramatic FDNY rescue at Staten Island house fire

UPDATE: After the Staten Island house fire, the baby is still in critical condition; the FDNY names the rescue heroes

New York’s Staten Island. In a spectacular response in Graniteville Friday afternoon, a firefighter who dashed into a smoke-filled, burning house snatched a newborn from a bunk bed and handed the infant to another firefighter via a basement window, according to officials.

The FDNY reported that the infant was classified in critical condition at Ocean Breeze’s Staten Island University Hospital.

FDNY Deputy Chief John Russell told reporters at the site that at around 3:45 p.m., firefighters got several reports of people trapped in a fire at 267 Ada Drive, a semi-attached house next to Farragut Avenue.

Russell revealed that they were confronted with a condition of heavy smoke.

On Friday, January 17, 2025, a baby was saved from a fire at 267 Ada Drive in Graniteville and is classified in serious condition. Luke Peteley/Staten Island AdvanceLuke Pete/Staten Island Advance

When a responding firefighter arrived, a civilian greeted him and told him that a baby was still in the basement.

After charging into the basement, the first responder grabbed the child from the bottom bunk of a bed in the back of the house and tossed the infant through a window.

He noticed that there was a window directly there, so he started to pass the infant out into the fresh air in an effort to receive the cleanest air possible as soon as possible, Russell continued, rather than returning via the apartment he had just left.

Another firefighter working at the rear of the house came to the child’s aid, took it out, and took it straight to emergency medical services. After treating the youngster on the spot, EMS took the infant to the hospital.

The FDNY further reported that two adults and two other children who self-evacuated were sent to the hospital.

On Friday, January 17, 2025, a baby was saved from a fire at 267 Ada Drive in Graniteville and is classified in serious condition. Luke Peteley/Staten Island AdvanceLuke Pete/Staten Island Advance

According to the FDNY, the two-alarm fire was contained in less than 40 minutes, and the cause of the incident is still being looked into.

A neighbor across the street reported smelling smoke emanating from the building.

The neighbor said, “I heard someone scream about a baby.”

The tenant claims to have witnessed a man leaving the building and first responders hurrying the infant to the ambulance.

Ada Drive was lined with FDNY engines during the peak of the response.

Since this is a developing story, more details will be added as they become available.

On Friday, January 17, 2024, FDNY officers respond to Ada Drive in Graniteville. Luke Peteley/Staten Island AdvanceEmployee photo

On Friday, January 17, 2024, FDNY officers respond to Ada Drive in Graniteville. Luke Peteley/Staten Island AdvanceEmployee photo

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