FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com july 31, 2014 • The Queens Courier 21 MTA BRIDGE AND TUNNEL OFFICERS SAVE RESIDENTS FROM LIC BLAZE BY CRIS TABELLE TUMOLA [email protected]/@CristabelleT Two MTA Bridge and Tunnel officers were injured after helping rescue more than a dozen people from an early morning fire at a Long Island City apartment building. Sgts. Kris Owens and Paul Leggio were preparing for a security checkpoint at the Queens Midtown Tunnel administration building July 30 when they saw flames and smoke at the rear of an apartment building just two doors away, the transit agency said. A two-alarm fire had broken out just after 6:30 a.m. in a four-story dwelling at 10-39 51st Ave. Owens and Leggio, together with Sgt. Jacinth Thomas and Officers Joseph Vasquez, Ronald Linck, Steven Wall, Dave Rivera and James McGuigan, sprung into action and decided to check to see if anyone was trapped in the blaze. “We saw heavy flames and smoke as we approached, and we started knocking on doors and kicking doors to get the people out,” Owens said. “Everybody seemed to be sleeping and disoriented, and some people came out in their nightclothes.” After safely removing more than a dozen people from the building, the officers also evacuated residents Photo courtesy of MTA / Oscar Gonzalez from the apartment buildings on both sides of the fire, MTA Bridge and Tunnel officers noticed a fire near the Queens Midtown Tunnel and rescued residents from an LIC apartment according to the MTA. “Within a few minutes we had the building cleared. We got everybody out safely. I’m glad we were there,” MTA said. Five firefighters were also hurt in the blaze, traffic, but when they saw lives at risk off our Owens said. according to the FDNY, but no civilian injuries were Vasquez and Linck were injured while evacuating reported. residents and were taken to Bellevue Hospital for “Our Bridge and Tunnel Officers work around the treatment of cuts, bruises and smoke inhalation, the clock to protect our customers from hazards of vehicular property, these brave officers did not hesitate to plunge into danger to save them,” MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast said. “I’m proud of their selfless actions to protect the public.” building. st CUTLER’S LIGHTING of the 2013 THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com Place Over 50 Years Experience REPAIRS • REWIRING • RE-FINISHING • LAMP SHADES YELLOW TAG SALE LAMP SHADE SALE 12 years from now, this LED bulb will still be saving you money. 10% OFF OFF ANY PURCHASE With Coupon. Not combinable – New Orders Only. Limit 1 per customer. $150.00 max for discount. LYNBROOK 817 Sunrise Hwy (2 Blocks west of Peninsula Blvd.) 516-887-1300 Up to 50% OFF on Select Models GREAT NECK 120 Northern Blvd. 516-482-1919 Excludes Repairs, Re nishing, Rewiring. Exp. 8/15/2014 CUTLER’S LIGHTING CUTLER’S LIGHTING
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