Injured Maryland Firefighter Looks Forward to Going Home

A Christmas Eve fire at 5128 Flintridge Drive in Landover Hills was extinguished by 30 firefighters in about 15 minutes. However, recovery will be a painful process for some time to come for many involved.

The blaze caused $80,000 in estimated fire loss, injured one firefighter, displaced two families and two family pets, both dogs, perished in the fire. The fire appears to have originated in the basement and the cause remains under investigation.

One of the firefighters, Kevin Weems, was injured. The injuries sustained included burns injuries to his hands, ears and thigh. He was transported by paramedics to the Burn Unit at the Washington Hospital Center where he remains as of today.

He has 15 years experience as a firefighter, with his last three years as a member of the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department.

After spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the Burn Unit, Weems, his family, friends and co-workers look forward to his release, hopefully, sometime today. His injuries will need time and continued physical therapy before being able to return to full duty.