Burned D.C. Firefighter Helps in Rescue on Return

Nov. 10, 2011
D.C. Firefighter Chuck Ryan donned his gear and helped fellow firefighters rescue a construction worker who was trapped in a trench.

D.C. Firefighter Chuck Ryan didn't waste too much time getting back into things Wednesday, his first day back after being severely burned in a fire in April.

Ryan donned his gear and helped fellow firefighters rescue a construction worker who was trapped in a trench, according to WTTG-TV.

The veteran firefighter was cleared by doctors to return to work on Tuesday and returned to work at a fire station in the southeast section of the city early Wednesday morning.

He was injured along with four other firefighters in a blaze set by an arsonist at a house on 48th Place in Northeast D.C. on April 8.

Ryan suffered second- and third-degree burns over half his body and spent seven months recuperating.

In an interview with WJLA-TV, Ryan said he's always been focused on returning to the job he loves.

"From the moment I woke up in intensive care, all I was looking forward to was going back to work," he said. "My biggest thing about coming back is that I will get to the next chapter in my life."

The arsonist who caused the house fire was sentenced earlier this year to 25 years in prison.

Related

D.C. Fire and EMS Department
Firefighter Chuck Ryan

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