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The resident was hospitalized after Firefighter René Rivera punched out enough of the second-floor window frame to get the man out -- head-first -- in the 5th Street rescue around 6:30 a.m.
Rivera then slides down the back of the ladder, allowing the man to climb down, in the exclusive video captured by Edward Devine for Daily Voice.
"Throughout the entire time the firefighter was down, his only concern was if the young man survived," one responder said.
Firefighters had the bulk of the blaze knocked in a little over a half-hour.
Rivera was treated at St. Mary's General Hospital and sent home soon after, colleagues said.
The rescued resident's mom and two younger siblings also required medical attention.
St. Clare's EMS Passaic Division transported the injured.
Authorities believe the fire, which displaced 20 residents, may have been ignited by faulty wiring in the 2½-story building.
Passaic firefighters were assisted by their colleagues from Carlstadt, Clifton, East Rutherford, Paterson, Rutherford and Wallington.
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