Londonderry, NH, Firefighter Hurt in Flashover Says He's the "luckiest unlucky guy"
Caught in a flashover at a house fire, a Londonderry firefighter says he considers himself the "luckiest unlucky guy."
Lt. Mike England, who was on fire as he emerged from the house, suffered a fractured leg and burns. He is now recovering at home.
"Other firefighters that were there put him out by patting him down to put the fire out," Battalion Chief Bruce Hallowell told WMUR.
England, a Londonderry firefighter for the past 11 years, said he and others were inside searching for victims. They later learned the five residents already escaped on thier own.
New turnout gear was credited with the outcome as firefighters were recently issued two new sets.
"This is the result. This is the happy result that, you know, the lieutenant was able to sustain a significant thermal assault and get out with very limited injuries," Hallowell said.
About the Author
Susan NicolSusan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.