Benton, AR -- The Benton firefighter who suffered second- and third-degree burns in a Dec. 20 fire at Fikes Fire Station underwent surgery this morning at Arkansas Children's Hospital.
Capt. Joey Brannon had about three skin grafts performed on his legs. A family member reported at 10:30 this morning that the surgery went well. The surgery began about 9 a.m.
Brannon has been in the care of the ACH's burn unit since the day of the fire. Following today's surgery, he's expected to be in the hospital at least another week.
Fire Chief Ben Blankenship said "it appears he's going to have an extended rehabilitation period. We're looking forward to having him back with us."
A trust fund was set up at Hurricane Creek Federal Credit Union shortly after the fire to help offset additional expenses the Brannon family has encountered during this experience.
The chief said the department has received a "tremendous outpouring of support and prayers from throughout the country." He added that he has received calls from Chicago and as far east as Connecticut to the west in Seattle and Tucson.
The cause of the fire, according to Blankenship, was a fallen gasoline can.
The fuel apparently ignited as Brannon, Capt. Mark Mills and firefighter Greg Davidson were headed toward the overhead door of the apparatus bay (or garage) to ventilate the area.
Blankenship said Mills saved Brannon's life when he smothered Brannon with flame-retardant clothing to extinguish the flames.
Both captains and Davidson were wearing regular clothes, the chief said.
"They did what they always do; their initial reaction was to take care of life first. Once they got Capt. Brannon safe, they got the fire out," Blankenship added.
The blaze was extinguished in about 30 minutes.
Brannon, his wife, Karen, and their four children were joined at the hospital by several firefighters and their families on Christmas Day.
Karen Brannon has extended her thanks and appreciation to the Benton Fire Department and to firefighters throughout the country for their concern for her husband and her family. She also expressed thanks to her fellow faculty members at Caldwell Elementary School, members and staff of Benton's First United Methodist Church and to many local businesses, individuals and organizations that have supported the family during this difficult time.
The Salt Creek Road fire station fortunately suffered no major structural damage, Blankenship has said. The damage "was mainly cosmetic."
The chief said he expects the fire station to be open within the next four weeks.
"We're still responding with full staff," he noted.
