Mayor Eric Adams and Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh today announced the death of Firefighter Timothy Klein, 31, a six-year veteran of the Department. On Sunday, 24 April, Firefighter Klein was trapped under a ceiling collapse and critically injured while battling a 3-alarm fire at 108-26 Avenue N in Brooklyn. Firefighter Klein was removed from the building by his fellow Firefighters and rushed to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.
‘New York City has lost one of its bravest today – Firefighter Timothy Klein,’ said Mayor Adams. ‘He lost his life doing the job we asked of him every day – bravely fighting to save others from fire. We pray for his family and his fellow Firefighters during this terribly painful time.’
‘The Department is heartbroken today at the loss of Firefighter Timothy Klein, who died risking his life to save others,’ said Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. ‘His family has a rich history of service in the FDNY, and he bravely followed in their footsteps. The hearts of the entire Department are with the Klein family and with the members of Engine Company 257 and Ladder Company 170.’
On Sunday, 24 April, at 1:49pm, FDNY units responded to 108-26 Avenue N in Brooklyn for reports of smoke in the area. Firefighter Klein (assigned to Ladder Company 170 but working in Engine Company 257 on this tour) responded in under five minutes with his fellow Firefighters and found visible fire in a private home. The fire quickly escalated to a 3-alarm fire. Conditions in the fire building deteriorated rapidly and the Incident Commander ordered all members from the building. At that time, a collapse occurred inside the building, injuring four members of Engine Company 257 who were inside at the time. In addition to Firefighter Klein, one Firefighter and his Captain were transported to Staten Island University Hospital with burns, and one additional Firefighter was transported to Brookdale Hospital with injuries from the collapse. In all, nine Firefighters, including Firefighter Klein, were injured.
Firefighter Klein was appointed to the FDNY on 28 December 2015. After graduating from the Fire Academy, he was assigned to Ladder Company 170 in Canarsie, Brooklyn. In January 2019, he delivered the eulogy for Firefighter Steven Pollard, his friend and fellow Firefighter from Ladder Company 170 who died in the line of duty.
Firefighter Klein is the 1,157th member of the FDNY to die in the line of duty. A resident of Queens, he is survived by his father, retired FDNY Firefighter Patrick Klein, his mother Diane, and his three sisters. The last member of the Department to die in the line of duty was Firefighter Jesse Gerhard, who died on 16 February 2022.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
