Firefighter dies in fall in Queens

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - A firefighter battling a fire in Queens fell several stories and died Thursday afternoon.

William Tolley, 42, fell five stories from the bucket of a fire ladder. He was taken to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center where he died. 

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Fire Commissioner Dan Nigro spoke about the tragedy during a short news conference at the hospital. De Blasio said Tolley was a 14-year veteran of the FDNY.

A "man dedicated to protecting others gave his life to this work," de Blasio said. "Today, he made the ultimate sacrifice. Our hearts go out to his family."

Nigro said that the apparent accident wasn't directly related to the fire. Tolley and other firefighters were on the roof, which is standard procedure.

The fire broke out in a 5-story apartment building on Putnam Avenue in Ridgewood at about 2:30 p.m. The FDNY got the fire under control in about half an hour.

"Our hearts go out as well to all members of the FDNY who are feeling the loss deeply right now, especially the members of Ladder 135 Engine 286 in Ridgewood, where William was stationed," de Blasio said.

In a statement, the president of the FDNY-Uniformed Fire Officers Association offered his condolences to Tolley's family and friends.

"I join with all FDNY members in honoring the memory of our brother who unfortunately lost his life in the line of duty earlier today," UFOA President Jake Lemonda said. "This is an extremely dangerous job that our dedicated members put their lives on the line every day to protect the residents of the City of New York."

Firefighter Tolley is survived by his wife, Marie, and his daughter, Isabella.