GRENADA, Miss. -- A volunteer firefighter was injured when he stepped on a downed power line Friday while responding to a brush fire on Jefferson Road, according to Chief Ken Holly of the Elliott Volunteer Fire Department.
Keith Raney, 44, was airlifted to The MED Burn Center in Memphis around 2:30 p.m.
He was taken by ambulance to the Grenada Lake Medical Center and immediately transported by helicopter to The MED, Holly said.
According to Holly, high winds blew a tree on to a power line without causing it to short out.
"The line was hidden by tall grass, and Keith walked right into it. This could have happened to anyone. We want to encourage people to be aware of their surroundings when approaching a fire or any unfamiliar area," Holly said.
Raney was pulled from the fire by an accompanying volunteer firefighter, according to Holly.
"Keith went into surgery that night. His wife, Kathy, said his progress is looking good, and that he may be able to come home in a week or two," Holly said.
Two muscles were removed from Raney's leg in the area where he was burned, according to Holly.
"He is on a ventilator, because of fluid on his lungs. He is being responsive, but he cannot talk at this time," Holly said. "If Keith wasn't such a big guy, he probably wouldn't have made it. He is very lucky to be alive and in such stable condition."
"I've known Keith his whole life. He is a dedicated fireman, husband, father and friend. Everyone at the Elliott Volunteer Fire Department is praying for Keith and his family. We wish him a fast recovery," he said.
Republished with permission of The Daily Star.
