A Houston firefighter has returned to work after suffering severe burns more than two years ago shared his story with KHOU-TV.
Capt. Darin Unruh of Station 39 responded to the call in November 2008 at Linder and Tuscon streets in the northeast part of the city and went into the fully evolved home after reports of residents trapped inside.
While the reports turned out to be false, Unruh because a victim himself after collegues found him unconscious on the floor of the burning home with his mask and breathing apparatus removed.
He suffered third-degree burns to his face, neck, and head and additional burns to his hands.
Paramedics performed CPR but were not successful. They then made the decision to give him an emergency Cyanokit injection to help remove the toxins he ingested while inhales the smoke.
The injection brought him back.
He was alive by the time he reached the hospital and was put in a medically-induced coma for five weeks.
It took months of exercises and stretching to rehabilitate his damaged skin and he knows that it may never be the same again and still bears the scars from his injuries.
"It’s difficult being burned. It's hell." he told the news station. "I remember not wanting to be here."
But he didn't give up and says it was his duty to return to the job he loves.
"I have a second chance at life," he said. "I wanted to be able to look back on my life and be proud as a firefighter."
