A Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service lieutenant collapsed during an early-morning blaze, and now is hospitalized at UAB.
The injury happened about 1:45 a.m. while firefighters were battling a house blaze in the 8000 block of 6th Avenue North. Capt. Bryan Harrell said the firefighter's breathing apparatus malfunctioned when it got caught on something and he suffered smoke inhalation.
Authorities said his fellow firefighters could hear Lt. Andrew Johnson calling for help and pulled him from the home and he was rushed to the hospital. They don't think he was down for long.
He is currently sedated and intubated, and has a significant amount of soot in his lungs, Harrell said. Doctors are using saline to clear out his lungs, and he is expected to be hospitalized for two to three days.
The 33-year-old lieutenant serves on Rescue 19 and has been with the department for more than a decade, and also serves with the Warrior Fire Department. He is married with two sons.
An investigation is underway into what led to the mask malfunction. Johnson is getting widespread support and prayer via social media.