NEW YORK, NY November 23, 2008 —The FDNY is mourning a veteran firefighter who was killed in a blaze at a Staten Island house early Sunday morning after a ceiling collapsed and knocked his mask off.

REPORTER: Lt. Robert Ryan, jr. was unconscious when colleagues found him and pulled him from the home. He died at a hospital. Mayor Bloomberg is asking city residents to pray for Ryan, who was married with two children and two stepchildren.

BLOOMBERG: He was a brave man who lost his life proteting this city. And as we go into the holiday season, we need to remember those who sacrifice so much for all of the rest of us.

REPORTER: The electrical fire, in the New Brighton neighborhood, was reported just after midnight and was brought under control an hour later. One resident who was home at the time escaped unhurt.