A veteran Sacramento firefighter is recovering after being injured while fighting a three-alarm fire in the city's Alkalai Flat area over the weekend.
Capt. Dexter Ching was among the more than 70 firefighters who responded to the blaze early Saturday morning in an apartment building near Eighth and E streets.
Ching rushed into the burning building, and he and his team found two men trapped inside.
As two firefighters covered one of the trapped men with their own bodies, Ching sprayed water trying to protect them all. That's when he was hit by burning debris, scorching his neck and back, and leaving him with second-degree burns.
"It was a situation where we knew we had to get him out because the situation was going south on us," Ching said.
Ching has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home, where he's gotten visits from Sacramento Fire Chief Joe Cherry, Sacramento City Manager Ray Kerrige, and friends and neighbors.
"I know he just thinks it's part of his job, but it's pretty amazing," neighbor Lisa Arcuri said.
"I do feel good that we helped someone. You can go through your whole career and never have that. You don't want that, but when it does happen, it's nice to know you were there and able to do that," Ching said.
Firefighters were not only able to save two people, they were also able to save the building next to the one where the fire occurred. The building's are only about three feet apart.
If Ching's wounds don't heal, he may need a skin graft. He will not be able to return to work for at least a few months.
Ching has served in the Sacramento Fire Department for 21 years.
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