by Bill Parry
A group of New York City firefighters came to the rescue of a woman and two children who were allegedly being attacked in Long Island City last Friday, the FDNY said. The half dozen Bravest of Ladder 115 were on their way back to their firehouse on 47th Avenue when they saw a young boy waving towards their truck, according to the Fire Department.
“We like to wave to little kids,” firefighter Leo Lopez said in an FDNY statement. “But as soon as we waved to him, he stopped. Then we saw a lady calling for help.”
Lopez called for the truck to stop and by the time they climbed down to the street they saw the woman pointing towards a man who was allegedly dragging a young girl down the street, the FDNY said. Lopez called for the man to stop, but he allegedly kept moving, according to fire officials.
“He was on a mission,” Lopez said in an FDNY statement. “We weren’t sure what he wanted to do.”
The firefighters ran toward the large man, who appeared inebriated, according to the FDNY. They formed a barrier between the man and the woman and children, and while Lieutenant Brendan Connolly and firefighter Lopez talked to the family, the other four kept the man cornered, fire officials said.
“The mother was scared for her life,” Connelly said in the statement. “But these guys are built like linebackers and they kept him at bay until the police arrived.”
The man was taken into custody by officers from the 114th Precinct, the FDNY said.
“We just tried to make the situation better for them,” Lopez said in the statement. “I’m just glad we were there. Sometimes things happen for a reason.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718.260.4538.
