FDNY Firefighter From Long Island Killed In Harlem Blaze

A 37-year-old FDNY firefighter from Long Island was killed in a 5-alarm fire that broke out on a movie set in Harlem on Thursday night, fire officials said.

Michael Davidson, of Floral Park, responded to a fire in the basement of a five-story building on St. Nicholas Avenue and West 149th Street shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said in a statement. Davidson was assigned to the nozzle when he got separated from firefighters inside the "rapidly deteriorating fire conditions," Nigro said.

Firefighters recovered Davidson's body and he was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, fire officials said. He was a 15-year FDNY veteran of Engine Company 69 in Manhattan and had been cited for bravery and life-saving actions four times in his career, Nigro said.

"Firefighter Davidson bravely battled many fires and responded to countless calls for help from New Yorkers throughout his 15 years of dedicated service," Nigro said in a statement. "Our department and our entire city mourn this tragic loss of a very brave firefighter."

Davidson comes from a family of firefighters, officials said. His father Robert was a 26-year veteran of the FDNY and his brother Eric is an 11-year veteran of fire engine 88 in the Bronx, officials said. Davidson is survived by his wife, Eileen, three daughters, ages 7, 3, and 1 and a son, 6, fire officials said.

The building where the fire broke out was being used as a set for the upcoming Bruce Willis and Edward Norton film "Motherless Brooklyn," according to a statement from the film's producers acquired by a WNBC report. The movie crew "immediately alerted the fire department" after noticing smoke coming into the set from below them, the producers said in a statement.

"To our great sorrow, we now know that a NYC firefighter lost his life battling the blaze that grew, and our hearts ache in solidarity with his family," the producers said in a statement. "New York City firefighters truly are the bravest in the world."

The fire was placed under control shortly after 2:30 a.m. Friday, fire officials said. City fire marshals will investigate the cause of the fire, officials said.

Photo courtesy FDNY

Reporting by Brendan Krisel