On a hot summer night the department phone came alive with the distinctive three rings, tipping us off that Engine 318 or Ladder 166 would be going first due on a run.

The dispatcher told the housewatchman: "Both companies roll to West 27th Street, between Neptune and Mermaid for a fire in a bungalow".

We got there fairly quickly, the location being a few blocks from the firehouse, and found smoke coming from what appeared to be an unoccupied bungalow.

We forced the front door and found a small rubbish fire. As 318 was putting the fire out pidgeons were flying everywhere.

Louie Hairston, Captain Harry Kooperstein and myself searched the structure. We found stacks of newspapers, rags, scrap metal, which we later learned was how the resident earned a living.

We then found the resident - a 14 year old boy, lying on a bare mattress, with 2 very large rats nearby. Apparently the rats were his pets, because they showed no inclination of leaving him.

It was obvious that the boy was quite ill. We threw rocks at the rats to chase them away, and allow us to get closer to the boy.

The boy had a very high fever. We called for an ambulance. The ambulance arrived and took the boy to Coney Island Hospital. (Nick Santimauro).

Now it's your turn. If you have a story that you'd like to submit, or have an idea for a story please let us know. Send it to: fdnytales@Fire-Police-EMS.com

Thanks, Ira Hoffman