#NYC firefighter rescues giant iguana from Astoria apartment fire

As fire rescues go, this one is both heart-warming and cold-blooded.

An FDNY firefighter emerged from an Astoria apartment fire Friday night with a very lucky giant iguana in his arms and a nearly-bigger grin across his soot-covered face.

The fire broke out just before 6 p.m. on the top floor of a three-story apartment building near the corner of 23rd Street and 25th Road, an FDNY spokesperson said.

A hero firefighter managed to locate and save the big, scaly pet even though the third floor — where it lived — was on fire, said photographer Chris Clarke, who snapped the photo.

“When he came out of the building, he had this big smile on face as he was talking the other firefighters,” Clarke said.

“At first I thought he was carrying a cat,” Clarke said.

“Then I realized that’s not a cat — it’s huge!”

The firefighter reunited the lizard with its relieved owner who as waiting outside, according to Clarke.

“They were clearly very happy to have the iguana,” the photographer said.

The fire was placed under control at 7: 10 p.m., according to the FDNY.

One firefighter was transported to Mount Sinai Queens hospital with minor injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.