FDNY firefighter killed in attack on Marines in Afghanistan

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Christopher Slutman, a 15-year veteran of FDNY Engine 46 Ladder 27 in the Bronx, was killed Monday night serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan.

A car bomb detonated near Bagram Airbase where a security convoy was positioned killing Slutman and two other Americans. An Afghan contractor was wounded, officials said. (The death toll was corrected Tuesday by officials to reflect the wounded contractor.)

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted his condolences late Monday.

"My heartfelt prayers to the families of the Americans killed near Bagram. I condemn this disgusting terrorist act. U.S. service members have sacrificed their lives in Afghanistan to keep us safe and no cowardly act of terror will impede our efforts to achieve peace."

Six U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan this year.

Staff Sgt. Slutman was a married father of three children. The son of a firefighter, Slutman began his career in Prince George's County, Maryland before joining the FDNY.

He was the recipient of the 2014 Fire Chief's Association Memorial Medal for rescuing an unconscious woman from a burning apartment building in the south Bronx.

New York City officials say Slutman was the fourth FDNY member to die while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2003.