New York City firefighters were out in force on Monday clearing downed trees in the streets, including one that fell near a convent on Manhattan’s West Side.<\/p>\n
A group of nuns showed them the utmost gratitude.<\/p>\n
Busy day in Hell’s Kitchen for FDNY’s Ladder 4<\/p>\n
Chainsaws and hatchets were used to remove two trees from one block of 51st Street in Hell’s Kitchen. The first snow-laden one, which was more than 30 feet tall, crashed onto the street Monday morning. Security video shows a nearby adult and child barely escaped unharmed.<\/p>\n
At the convent of the Sisters of Life, the gratitude was so strong, the nuns took to the sidewalk with food and drinks for the firefighters of the FDNY’s Ladder 4.<\/p>\n
One nun told CBS News New York that kind of kindness brings out the best in people.<\/p>\n
“I think that was really sweet for the nuns to come out and offer them a hot beverage or to show their appreciation, of course,” one passerby said. \u00a0<\/p>\n
“I feel like I just cheated death”<\/p>\n
Firefighters did not want to be interviewed on camera, but said it was the first tree removal of the day and would probably not be the last.<\/p>\n
Sure enough, just a few hours later on the same block, but closer to Ninth Avenue, a second tree came down, crushing the awning of Flex Bar.<\/p>\n
On a ladder removing snow from the awning at the time was bar manager Giovanni Craybel, who escaped unharmed.<\/p>\n
“I literally feel like I just cheated death,” Craybel said, later adding if he was sure he was OK, “No, I’m fine. I’m fine.”<\/p>\n
“Always we need to be careful, especially in this weather,” Hell’s Kitchen resident Elvin Nieto said.<\/p>\n
It was a block full of thankful residents, with many saying they feel blessed to have tireless firefighters around when they need them most.\u00a0<\/p>\n