Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta announced today the death of FDNY Lt. Howard J. Carpluk Jr. of Engine Company 42 in the Bronx.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta announced the death of FDNY Lt. Howard J. Carpluk, Jr. of Engine Company 42 in the Bronx.

Lt. Carpluk, 43, a 20-year veteran of the FDNY, died from critical injuries he sustained while battling a third-alarm fire in the South Bronx on August 27.

He was initially transported to Bronx Lebanon Hospital and was then transferred to the cardiac support center in Montefiore Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on August 28.

Lt. Carpluk was appointed to the FDNY on August 2, 1986. He began his career in Ladder Company 31 in the Bronx and was promoted to lieutenant on February 6, 1999. He has been assigned to Engine 42 since January 2002.

During his exceptional career with the Fire Department, Lt. Carpluk received two citations for bravery, including one award for a heroic rescue on March 30, 1988, when he saved the lives of two unconscious men he found in the bedroom of a fire-engulfed apartment in the Bronx. 
 
A resident of Yaphank, Lt. Carpluk is survived by his wife Debra, his 10-year-old daughter Paige and his 14-year-old son Bradley.

Lt. Carpluk is the 1,134th member of the New York City Fire Department to make the Supreme Sacrifice in the Department's 141-year history. 

Firefighter Reilly Killed and Three Other Firefighters Seriously Injured

Probationary Firefighter Michael C. Reilly, of Engine Company 75 in the Bronx, died August 27 from injuries he sustained during the same fire.

Three other FDNY members were seriously injured in the fire. Battalion Chief Thomas W. Auer, 47, of Battalion 17 and Lt. John P. Grasso, 45, of Engine 92 were treated and released from New York Presbyterian Hospital; and Firefighter Wayne J. Wallters, 30, of Engine 75, was treated and released from Jacobi Medical Center.

A total of 23 firefighters were injured in the fire.
 
Fire at 1575 Walton Avenue, South Bronx

Firefighters responded to a call for a fire at 12:29 p.m. at 1575 Walton Ave., a one-story 99-cent store near the Grand Concourse. 

The blaze quickly went to a second alarm at 12:38 p.m. and then a third alarm at 1:07 p.m. FDNY units entered the building in a search for fire and victims when a collapse occurred.

Maydays were transmitted and firefighters rescued five trapped members.

The blaze was brought under control at 4:43 p.m. Approximately 33 units and 138 firefighters participated in extinguishing the fire and the rescue effort.

Fire marshals, the FDNY Safety Command and Department of Buildings continue to investigate the cause of the fire.

Updated on August 31 at 11:00 a.m.