The FDNY firefighter who nearly died while battling a house fire in the Bronx was released from the hospital Sunday to enthusiastic applause from his fellow first responders.
Kevin Paulicelli, a father of two, left Jacobi Medical Center on his own just two days after suffering respiratory arrest and was rushed to a Bronx hospital.
Firefighters from the Bronx and Queens were on hand to greet the 38-year-old who shook hands with each of his bravest comrades during the emotional moment, FDNY footage shows.
Paulicelli said he “had trouble breathing” as he and others walked toward the intense flames inside the two-story home Friday afternoon, FDNY officials said at the time.
He passed out after inhaling smoke before leaving the house.
Other first responders dragged him to the sidewalk and two doctors began administering the life-saving drug hydroxocobalamin, which reverses the effects of cyanide poisoning, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said Friday.
Paulicelli called it a “wonder drug” outside the hospital on Sunday.
“That’s usually what kills you.” More often than the fire itself, it’s that deadly smoke,” said Paulicelli, who is also an Army veteran, according to CBS 2 NY.
“So the fact that it can reverse this poisoning and it can actually revive someone is truly a miracle drug.”
Another firefighter was briefly hospitalized following Friday’s fire at a Clason Point home, which took nearly two hours to put out.
“To all of our members here, everyone did a phenomenal job,” Paulicelli said, according to CBS 2. “Everyone. What they did to me saved my life.
New York Post
