PATERSON, N.J. (AP) - Authorities say a man leaped from a burning New Jersey building to his death during a fire that sent more than a dozen other people to the hospital.
Fire crews responded at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday after spotting the smoke at the Paterson building from their headquarters.
NorthJersey.com reports that 30-year-old Andrés de Jesus Valdez had made it out of the burning building but ran back inside to help others when he became trapped on the second floor and plunged to his death.
St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Pam Garretson said the hospital received 11 patients from the fire. Chief Brian McDermott of the Paterson fire department said two city firefighters were being treated for smoke inhalation at the hospital.
McDermott called it “a very sad day for Paterson.”
“Our hearts break for the families,” he said.
There was no immediate information about what may have caused the blaze.
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