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Firefighter Injured Battling Woodmere Blaze Dies At Long Island Hospital

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- A volunteer firefighter on Long Island has died following injuries sustained while battling a fire last Friday.

Joseph Sanford Jr. died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, at North Shore-LIJ Hospital in Manhasset.

Sanford was a volunteer with the Inwood Fire Department.

The 43-year-old fell into the basement of a home on Central Avenue in Woodmere.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Firemen's Association of the State of New York President Robert McConville said Sanford's death is a "terrible loss," especially so close to Christmas.

"Firefighting is inherently dangerous work, but 92,000 volunteers across Long Island and the state willingly put their lives on the line everyday to protect their neighbors and their communities, just as Past Assistant Chief Sanford did last week," said McConville, who is also a volunteer with the Selden Fire Department. "The volunteer fire service will come together to honor Chief Sanford's service and sacrifice and to see that his family and our brothers and sisters in the Inwood Fire Department have all the support they need during this difficult time."

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