‘His Behavior Was Reprehensible’: Police Officer Draws Criticism After Video Shows ‘Diabolical’ Move During House Fire

A New York Police Department (NYPD) officer is facing backlash after a video appears to show him playing basketball as a nearby home is engulfed in flames.

The video appears to show the officer shooting the ball towards a hoop. As the video pans, the ball misses the basket while a home can be seen in flames in the background. A fire truck is also seen behind the officer, though the firefighters’ whereabouts and activities leading up to the time of the recorded video are unclear.

“His behavior was reprehensible during such a calamity,” a police officer granted anonymity told the New York Post. “Firemen risked their lives, and he thought it was a good idea during such a tragedy to shoot hoops?”

The apparent incident occurred at a home in Brooklyn where officials found a first floor fire had “quickly escalated to a fourth alarm due to a high winds,” according the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). One person reportedly sustained injuries and was transported to a local hospital. (RELATED: ‘God Has Me Covered’: Delivery Driver Saves Elderly Woman In Wheelchair From House Fire)

The officer, whose identity remains unknown, also received criticism in the comments of the video posted to Instagram.

“Playing hoops while the house is on fire is diabolical,” a user commented, amassing over 27,000 “likes.”

“Unprofessional piece of shit,” another person commented, followed by several laughing emojis.

“[I]f I make this one I’ll go save them,” another user joked.

“An actual realistic video of an avg [average] cop at a house fire,” another commenter wrote.

Others speculated the individual might not have been of much help as he did not appear to be a firefighter but that the optics from the video were not ideal.

“I mean[,] he is a police officer, nothing he can really do against a fire,” an Instagram user said.

The NYPD told the Post they are aware of the video and the situation remains under internal review.

The NYPD did not immediately respond to The Daily Caller’s request for comment.