AR Firefighter Recalls Being Trapped in Burning Warehouse

Springdale Capt. James Kehrli was rescued by a rookie firefighter after he got trapped during a Dec. 27 warehouse fire.
Jan. 1, 2020

A Springdale firefighter spoke out about the Dec. 27 warehouse fire that left him injured.

"When the pallets did come down I really did not know what hit me," Capt. James Kehrli said. He called for help when he realized he was trapped in the zero-visibilty conditions. 

He made out the boot of rookie firefighter Vinnie Humphrey, and grabbed it. 

"I went straight to the ground and found his gloved hand and I knew that was him," Humphrey said. 

"Never once do you think it's gonna be you," Kehrli said. 

Sign up for Firehouse Newsletters

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!