STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Sunday, Aug. 10, started out like a typical shift for Police Officer Christopher De Sciora, 31, a Tottenville resident.

Working his usual assignment in the Quality of Life division in Brooklyn, De Sciora and Police Officer Andy Guo, 34, were canvassing the area in the vicinity of Canal Avenue and West 36th Street.

Then, around 11:40 a.m., the pair — each with nine years of NYPD service — came upon a plume of black smoke.

The emergency response

“We were actually canvassing for another crime that happened nearby and while we were canvassing we noticed the smoke,” De Sciora said. “And from there, we tried to locate exactly where the smoke was coming from.”

The officers jumped into action and found a home ablaze.

Upon arrival, the officers tried the front door,

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