New York Firefighter Dies From 9/11-Related Cancer

NEW YORK, NY — Retired New York City firefighter Robert Newman died from 9/11-related cancer last week, according to information from the firefighters' union.

James Slevin, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, said in a statement that Newman died on Thursday from 9/11 related cancer "caused by his service at the World Trade Center site following the 9-11 attacks."

Newman was involved in rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero following the 2001 terrorist attacks, Slevin said. He died at age 70 and worked for 40 years as firefighter with the Fire Department of New York in addition to fighting in Vietnam, according to Slevin. He retired from the FDNY in 2005.

"Newman is the fourth firefighter who has passed away due to a 9-11 related illness this year," Slevin said in the statement. "Due to the devastating 9-11 attacks on our nation, numerous New York City Firefighters have been getting sick and dying in high numbers due to cancers and other diseases caused by breathing the toxic air at the World Trade Center."

Slevin said that 126 firefighters and fire officers have sided from 9/11-related illnesses since the attacks.

Funeral services for Newman will take place on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Farmingdale, NY. More details are available here.

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