A Newark firefighter who suffered severe injuries in raging fire that engulfed a tire shop in Newark
North Ward is making progress.
According to a statement released by city officials, today, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose will visit firefighter Paul Leber, 38, who was injured during a December 30th fire at 8 Park Avenue.
Officials said the Mayor and Public Safety Director left Newark at 11:30 a.m., and were expected to arrive at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx at approximately 12:15 p.m.
Officlas said Mayor Baraka and Director Ambrose will visit Firefighter Leber, whose condition has been upgraded from critical to stable at this time.
According to authorities, on Saturday, at 9:12 p.m., Firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire at Velez Tire Shop in which Leber, a 10-year veteran, became disoriented inside the building.
Firefighter Leber was in the tire shop with other members of Engine 7, including a probationary firefighter. As conditions worsened, they were ordered out of the building. As they were exiting, Leber became disoriented and members of Engine 7 and Rescue 1 went back into the building with other firefighters and rescued him Newark officials said.
EMS initially transported Leber to University Hospital for treatment where he was listed in critical condition.
Doctors later moved Leber to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx for further treatment.
The fire was declared under control shortly after 11 p.m. The cause and nature of the fire is being investigated by arson detectives from the Newark Fire Division.
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka thanked Firefighter Leber and all our firefighters for the job they do daily and asked that we all keep Leber in our prayers and for a full recovery.
Director Ambrose credits the members of Engine 7, Rescue 1 and other members of the Fire Division for the successful rescue of Firefighter Leber. He also praised the efforts of the firefighters that re-entered the building to ensure that Firefighter Leber escaped.
“These firefighters should be commended on the job they do each day. They willingly risk their lives by entering burning buildings to ensure that others survive,” he said.