TRAGIC: Lt. Rich Nappi (right) a devoted father of two, died yesterday battling this stubborn three-alarm fire at a warehouse in Bushwick. (
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An FDNY lieutenant hailed for his courage on 9/11 died yesterday battling a stubborn blaze in a sprawling commercial building in Brooklyn.
The fallen Bravest, father of two Rich Nappi, 47, was overcome by the heat and collapsed while fighting the three-alarm fire at 930 Flushing Ave. in Bushwick at around 3:30 p.m., officials said.
His comrades ripped off his heavy gear in a desperate bid to save him from the apparent heart attack.
“Lieutenant Nappi overheated, suffered exhaustion and collapsed. He was rushed here to Woodhull Hospital, but despite the best efforts of medical personnel, he eventually died,” a grim-faced Mayor Bloomberg said.
“He responded with valor to the World Trade Center attacks. This is a tragic day for New York City.”
FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said Nappi, a 17-year-veteran, “was an extraordinary firefighter.”
Bloomberg spoke with Nappi’s widow, Mary Anne, who had rushed to the hospital.
FDNY medical officer Dr. Kerry Kelly said yesterday’s heat could have contributed to Nappi’s death, although authorities are still trying to determine the cause.
Nappi’s Engine Co. 237 came from another call when the huge blaze broke out, sources said.
The firefighter had responded to the 9/11 attacks with Engine Co. 7, Bloomberg said. Nappi lived with his wife, 11-year-old son, Nicholas, and 12-year-old daughter, Catherine, in Farmingville, LI.
More than 20 family members, neighbors and members of the FDNY gathered at their house last night to mourn.
One neighbor recalled how, years earlier, Nappi performed CPR on another nearby resident, helping to save that person’s life.
Nappi, a huge Bruce Springsteen fan who gave his time to teach volunteer firefighters in Suffolk County, “was just a very personable guy,” said Suffolk Chief Bob Hopkins. “If you had a bad day, you would sit down with Rich for a few minutes and your whole day would turn around.”
Nappi was the commanding officer of Engine Co. 237 at the fire.
The fire first ripped through the second story of the 300,000 square-foot building starting at 1:15 p.m., igniting a large number of paper products crammed inside the L and J manufacturing Import Co., the restaurant-supply business that occupied the floor.
“The fire was in a contained area, but every square inch inside is full,” said Bernard Joseph, 50, who has been the superintendent there for seven years.
Eight other firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Nappi was the first city firefighter to die in the line of duty since 2009.
Additional reporting by Larry Celona, Rebecca Harshbarger and Selim Algar
Top photos: BMR Breaking News (left). Lt. Rich Nappi (right) a devoted father of two, died yesterday battling this stubborn three-alarm fire in Bushwick.