One of the firefighters seriously injured in the Father’s Day blaze and explosion went home from the hospital yesterday, and the other was taken off a respirator and began breathing on his own.
Lt. Brendan Manning, 47, walked out of the New York Hospital Cornell Burn Center and went home to The Bronx.
The other injured fireman, Joseph Vosilla, 41, remains in stable but critical condition at Elmhurst Hospital, in Queens, but doctors have him off a respirator.
The good news came as hero firefighters John Downing, Brian Fahey and Harry Ford, killed in the fire, were honored on the floor of the House of Representatives.
“Perhaps this is an opportunity for us, the next time we walk by our local firehouse, to stick our heads in and say thank you,” said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn).
Also yesterday, the Astoria Fire: Post Heroes Fund climbed to $375,000.
The New York Dragons and the New Jersey Gladiators arena football teams will hold a special “Firefighters Night” on Saturday. Discount tickets will be offered firefighters and their families for the 7:30 p.m. game in East Rutherford.
Contributions to the Astoria Fire: Post Heroes Fund can also be made at donation boxes at any of 42 metro-area The Wiz stores.