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According to fire officials, William Barrett, 28, was raising an aluminum ladder onto a home on 117th Street in College Point, when it came in contact with a wire from a pole.

He was taken to New York Hospital in Queens, where he was pronounced dead.

Barrett's mother-in-law says today was supposed to be his last day replacing shingles on the roof.

"He had 15 years experience. It's not like this is his first time doing a roof," said Barrett's mother-in-law Margaret Sucre. "My question is how could something like this happen if the wires were secure like they're supposed to be."

Barrett was employed by a small, private roofing company.

He leaves behind a pregnant wife.

Police and officials from the Department of Buildings are investigating the incident.