NYC firefighter killed battling fire on movie set

By FireRescue1 Staff

NEW YORK — An FDNY firefighter died Thursday after battling a 5-alarm fire that broke out in a former jazz club that was being used as a film set in Harlem.

U.S. Fire Administration reported that firefighter Michael Davidson, 37, with Engine Company 69 in Manhattan, was operating the fire hose nozzle in the basement of the building when fire conditions intensified. He later became separated from other firefighters.

Davidson, a 15-year veteran, was removed from the building and taken to a hospital, where he died. Two other firefighters were seriously injured while battling the fire.

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

Davidson is survived by his wife and their four children; three daughters, ages 7, 3 and 1, and a son, age 6.

The fire started as the crew of "Motherless Brooklyn," a film directed by Edward Norton and starring Bruce Willis, Willem Dafoe and Alec Baldwin, was nearing the end of its working day at 11 p.m. Thursday.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Funeral arrangements are pending.