NICOLE LOZARE
Firehouse.Com News
Texas firefighters are offering more than their support for an
Austin fire captain who was badly burned on Jan. 5 during a flashover in an apartment
fire last week. The firefighters organized a blood drive and
established a relief fund for Capt. John Butz.
Courtesy Austin Fire Department
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"This horrible tragedy that my children and I have suffered ... the support is
amazing," said Debbie Butz, wife of Capt.Butz and mother of their three
children.
The fund will help finance family trips from Austin to San Antonio where
Capt.Butz, 39, will be recovering at the Brooke Army Medical Center. Medical
officials expect Capt. Butz to be in the hospital for the next two months
pending no complications.
Hospital officials said burn victims can expect to stay at least one day in the
hospital's burn unit for each percent that their body that sustains burns.
Capt. Butz, a 19-year veteran, suffered second and third degree burns
over more than 50% of his body while fighting an apartment fire. He was
caught in a flashover, officials suspect.
Two other firefighters,
Lt. Moreland Payne, 42, and Alphonse Dellert, 40, suffered
minor burns and smoke inhalation in the fire. Both were treated and released from
an area hospital.
Capt. Butz was still listed in critical condition at Brooke Army Medical
Center in San Antonio on Monday.
"He is holding his own, fighting with everything he
has got," said Debbie Butz. "He is a very strong man."
The San Antonio Fire Department also set up a blood drive for Capt. Butz.
"It’s been tremendous," said Chief Duke Turpin of the Austin Fire
Department. "The generosity and love that has been expressed has been
tremendous,"
"When a member of our family is hurting, it deeply affects every member of
the Austin Fire Department," Austin Fire Chief Gary Warren said.
"All of our support and prayers are with Capt. Butz and his
family every minute of the day. As a department we will do anything we can
to assist with John’s recovery and with his family’s ordeal."
Donations can be sent to:
-
John Butz Fund
Austin Metropolitan Financial Credit Union
PO Box 1089
Austin, TX 78767
Checks should be made out to "The John Butz Fund".
Blood donations can be made at Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas at
4300 N. Lamar Blvd in Austin. Individuals should indicate that they are donating
on behalf of Capt. Butz. They will then be given a donation voucher, which should be
forwarded to the Austin Fire Department Headquarters at 1621 Festival Beach
Rd., Austin, Texas 78702.
