Thick smoke was billowing out of the windows of an apartment consumed by flames. Nassau County police Officer Luis Ascencio saw two people trapped at the second floor window, frantically waving for help. Ascencio was the first to respond to the fire, which broke out at an upholstery shop below several apartments in West Hempstead, Long Island. About 100 firefighters from more than 10 departments would eventually respond to battle ...
