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A Bronx man was in critical condition after plunging five stories from his apartment window while trying to escape a fire yesterday, officials and neighbors said.
The victim tumbled 50 feet into a courtyard behind the building after a cable he was clutching gave way.
"He was hanging out the window," said Efrian Ortigosa, who called 911 when he saw a neighbor dangling outside 2185 Grand Concourse in Tremont.
"He was hanging there from the cable screaming, 'Hey! Hey!' when it all fell down," Ortigosa said. "He was panicking. I could hear the fear in his voice."
Other building residents got out using fire escapes. Five of them suffered minor injuries.
The 3 p.m. fire began in the lobby. Residents said officials told them the blaze was likely started by a lit cigarette in a couch. FDNY officials said the cause was under investigation.
The critically injured victim, who worked as a security guard, was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital.
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