Disaster was narrowly averted last week when firefighters rescued Carlos Barbosa from this paper silo at Universal Wilde. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Harry Kane

Firefighters rescued a man after he allegedly fell into a silo during the nightshift on Thursday, April 5.

Carlos Barbosa, 47, of Rehoboth found himself in a tight spot after trying to unclog a jam in a paper-filled silo at Universal Wilde in the Inner Belt section of Somerville.

Barbosa was in danger of losing his life in what escalated from a routine issue, to a near death situation.

He was trapped underneath paper scraps and was having trouble breathing, according to the Fire Department.

The Somerville Fire Department was able to speak with Barbosa via cell-phone. The worsening air quality conditions were reportedly making it difficult for Barbosa to breathe. Time was running out.

Barbosa, trapped like a rat, waited for approximately 45 minutes while firefighters worked vigilantly to free him from certain death.

Ladder 2 raised Barbosa to safety and paramedics rushed him to MGH. Barbosa was later released from the hospital.

“We are speaking with him on a daily basis,” said Steve Duffy, director of human resources at Universal Wilde.

Barbosa is expected back at work soon, according to Duffy. But, Barbosa has been told to take “as much time as he needs.”