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A 27-year old man who had just recently married his 32-year old husband died yesterday while trying to escape a horrific fire in a Manhattan skyscraper. Daniel McClung (image, left) died of smoke inhalation trying to exit his thirty-second floor apartment after a fire broke out on the twentieth floor of the Strand, a luxury Hell’s Kitchen apartment building on Tenth Avenue and West 43rd Street.
McClung’s husband, 32-year old TV producer Michael Cohen, also suffered smoke inhalation injuries and is hospitalized.
The couple had married just months ago, in July, and had just purchased and moved into their condo.
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The Daily News reports that McClung “was found in the 31st-floor stairwell,” and “died at Roosevelt Hospital.” His Facebook page points to his website, which says he was “a playwright and fiction writer based in Manhattan.”
“They were a really sweet couple. They are both great guys,†a friend, Tim Curran, told the Daily News.
“My heart goes out to him (Michael),†Curran added. “It’s just an unbelievably huge loss. To lose the guy you just married and been with for years, it’s heartbreaking and really difficult.â€
The News adds that a “working number for building management couldn’t be located and it was unclear if anyone had notified residents about the fire or told them to stay in their units.”
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On a personal note, this fire happened on our block. Our hearts go out to Mr. Cohen, his family and friends, and those of Mr. McClung’s as well.
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Image of Daniel McClung and Michael Cohen via Michael Cohen’s Facebook page