Video: Pakistani immigrant dies after falling from 2nd-floor while fleeing fire

A Pakistani immigrant, Ashiq Hussein, 53, died after falling while trying to escape a fire at his apartment in the Sunset Park area of Brooklyn, New York. The fire broke out on the second floor of a building at 3902 9th Avenue early on May 19.

Firefighters arrived at the scene around 7 AM and managed to control the blaze, according to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). A video shared by local news outlets shows Hussein attempting to climb down an FDNY ladder from the third floor.

But as he stepped onto the top part of the ladder, it just retracted. Hussein tumbled first on to a store awning and then on to the sidewalk.

He was rushed to Maimonides Medical Center, where doctors pronounced him dead. The city’s medical examiner later confirmed that Hussein died due to serious injuries to his head and chest from the fall.

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) reported that he was sharing an apartment with two roommates. A friend of his told that Hussein was working as a taxi driver in order to support his family in Pakistan. He was waiting for his wife, three daughters, and a son to join him in New York, news website People reported.

"He just wanted them to be successful and be able to contribute towards not just their own family but also toward humanity in some way," the friend told the New York Daily News. "He was an awesome dad It’s a loss that I don’t think anyone is going to get over any time soon."

The FDNY said in a statement that they are investigating the incident: "We are aware of an incident that took place at an all-hands fire in Brooklyn earlier this week. 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."

Two other people were injured in the incident. One firefighter also suffered a leg injury but is in stable condition. Authorities said the cause of the fire is still being investigated.