Manchester Fire Captain Burned Over 40% Of Body While Making Rescues During Deadly Blaze – CBS Boston
MANCHESTER, N.H. (CBS) – Hearth Captain Steve DesRuisseaux suffered extreme burns over almost half of his physique whereas attempting to save lots of residents throughout a fatal fire at a Manchester, N.H. home Saturday night time.
Flames broke out in a 6-family house on Dutton Avenue round 6 p.m. Heavy fireplace engulfed all three flooring of the constructing.
(Photograph Credit score: Brian Hardy)
DesRuisseaux and different firefighters rushed into the constructing and commenced making rescues.
A person and girl had been rescued from the third ground, adopted by two youngsters and an grownup male from the identical ground on the opposite aspect of the constructing.
After saving a person from the second ground, DesRuisseaux was caught in a flashover.
Whereas attempting to flee from a second ground porch, DesRuisseaux’s self-contained respiratory equipment strap obtained hooked on the ladder. With DesRuisseaux trapped, Lt. Scott Brassard climbed as much as assist.
As heavy fireplace was coming from the second ground, firefighter Joshua Charpentier determined to knock the ladder away from the constructing. Brassard sprained an ankle within the 10-15 foot fall.
The scene of a deadly Manchester fireplace. (Picture Credit score: Krystin Lambert)
One resident was later discovered useless on the second ground porch. Six folks had been rescued in whole.
“I’ve a buddy who lives in right here together with her daughter. They’d a canine and the canine ended up passing away, he perished within the fireplace,” Sara Evans advised WBZ-TV. “I really feel unhealthy for the household that misplaced the individual that died up there. The firefighters, I’m so grateful for them.”
“I can’t even think about what it could have felt prefer to be in there and even seeing it occur,” neighbor Derek Evans mentioned.
DesRuisseaux was rushed to Elliot Hospital, then taken by helicopter to Mass Common Hospital in Boston. He suffered second and third diploma burns to about 35-40% of his physique and stays hospitalized.
“The actions of the crews final night time went above and past the decision of responsibility, and Captain DesRuisseaux’s efforts had been nothing wanting heroic. Captain DesRuisseaux’s actions led to the rescue of six folks and is a real testomony to Steve’s professionalism,” battalion chief Dave Flurey mentioned. “He’s surrounded by his household, pals, members of the hearth division, Boston Hearth, he’s comfortable, he’s in good spirits, hopefully anticipated to make full restoration.”
The reason for the hearth stays underneath investigation.
