LOCAL HERO

Firefighter Antonio Velez of Engine 320 rescued a 12-year-old boy, navigating with his hands in black smoke, from a blaze that charred a home in Auburndale.
The boy, Jesse Iacovetta, suffered burns on his face, neck and arms, but was in stable condition, said Velez.
The firefighters arrived on scene around 6 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19, on 202nd Street, he said.
Velez and his crew saw black smoke coming out of the two-story dwelling, indicating there was a fire. Upon opening the door, a fog of smoke poured out.
He is part of the engine company, entering into the structure first to stretch out the hose to the origin of the fire. Waiting for the hose to charge with water, he heard screaming coming from the left.
“We had no time, I was worried whoever was in there screaming was going to die also,” said Velez.
He asked his partner to hold the hose, as he went to search for the source of the screaming. Blinded by the thick smoke, he maneuvered his way to the kitchen, using the wall as a guide.
Velez saw a flailing arm and reached out for it. He had found the child and handed him to safety to other firefighters. Another family was extracted from the second floor via a separate staircase for their floor.
No one else was found with Iacovetta, who was taken to Jacobi Medical Center, said an FDNY spokesperson. The fire was likely caused by a hair dryer that came into contact with combustible material.