PLAYING WITH FIRE Cop caught on video shooting hoops in yard of burning NYC home: ‘It’s diabolical’

New York Post - Mar 29th, 2025

In a bizarre incident caught on video, an NYPD officer was seen attempting a jump shot in the backyard of a burning home in Brooklyn while firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze on the top floor. The footage, which surfaced on Instagram, shows the uniformed officer taking a long-range shot as the fire raged at the three-story home on East 3rd Street, where one person was critically injured. The officer's behavior has been widely criticized, with many questioning his judgment amid such a serious emergency. Firefighters, meanwhile, were praised for their efforts in controlling the fire despite challenging conditions, as noted by FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker.

The incident, occurring on March 21, 2024, has sparked outrage and significant media attention. Critics, including other police officers, have deemed the officer's actions as inappropriate and insensitive during a dangerous situation where lives were at risk. The NYPD has acknowledged the video and announced an internal review. The story underscores the importance of appropriate conduct by first responders and highlights the potential consequences of poor judgment in crisis situations. The identity of the injured person remains undisclosed, and their condition is currently unknown.

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RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively captures a unique incident involving an NYPD officer's inappropriate behavior during a fire, supported by video evidence. It provides a clear narrative and engages readers through vivid descriptions and social media reactions. However, it lacks balance by not including perspectives from the officer or the NYPD, and it misses some critical information, such as the outcome of the NYPD's internal review and the status of the injured person. While the story is timely and of public interest, its potential impact is limited by the absence of follow-up details. Overall, the article is engaging and well-written but could benefit from a more balanced presentation and additional context.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports the occurrence of an unusual incident involving an NYPD officer playing basketball during a fire. The claim is supported by the mention of a video, which adds verifiability to the story. However, there are some gaps in the factual details, such as the identity of the officer and the current status of the injured person. The article also accurately describes the location and timing of the incident, but the lack of precise information about the outcome of the internal NYPD review limits the overall accuracy.

Balance

The article presents a predominantly negative perspective on the officer's actions, emphasizing criticism from both a fellow officer and social media comments. While it includes a quote from an anonymous police officer, it lacks a counterbalancing viewpoint from the NYPD or the officer involved. This creates an imbalance, as the story leans heavily towards public outrage without exploring potential justifications or explanations for the officer's behavior.

Clarity

The article is clear and easy to follow, with a straightforward narrative structure. It effectively conveys the incident's key details, including the location, timing, and public reaction. The language is accessible, and the use of direct quotes from social media adds color and context. However, the lack of detailed information about the injured person's status and the outcome of the NYPD review leaves some questions unanswered.

Source quality

The article cites a video posted on Instagram as its primary source, which is a credible form of evidence for the described incident. However, it lacks direct quotes from official sources such as the NYPD or FDNY, which would enhance the reliability of the information. The use of anonymous sources, while sometimes necessary, can affect the perceived credibility of the story.

Transparency

The article discloses that the video was posted on Instagram and that the NYPD is conducting an internal review, which provides some transparency. However, it does not elaborate on the methodology used to verify the video's authenticity or the process by which the story was reported. Additionally, there is no disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest or the context in which the officer's actions took place.