Two Beaumont firefighters injured in two separate fires Saturday night have been released and are expected to return to normal duties in a few days.
Justin Hall suffered heat related injuries while battling a fire in the 5400 block of Landry Lane. Later, a home in the 4100 block of Pine Street was reported to be engulfed. Firefighter Ben Paine was on Engine Seven at Landry Lane when it left to assist on Pine Street.
After fighting two fires, Paine suffered heat related injuries as well.
Paine and Hall were taken to Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth where they were treated and later released.
Captain Brad Penisson says it was training that saved those firefighters from suffering much worse injuries.
"I just lost everything," Alvin Provo said looking around at his once beautiful home that is now charred from a Saturday night fire.
Provo was asleep during the fire and barely escaped.
"I just had enough time to run out of my house in my pajamas," he said.
The fire, believed to be intentionally set, destroyed the entire north side of his home reaching the bathroom and Provo's closet burning all his clothes and shoes.
"I tried to come up in my closet to get some of my clothes and the fire was so hot I had to leave," Provo said.
While civilians are forced to retreat, firefighters must run towards the danger to fight the flames.
"Our firefighters put their lives on the line every time we roll out the door whatever the call. We try to watch our firefighters and do it as safely as we can but at time's it is overwhelming," Captain Brad Penisson said.
That was the case Saturday night when two firefighters suffered heat related injuries. But Captain Brad Penisson says the firefighters discipline took effect before injuries could become life threatening.
"Part of their training is the fact they were able to realize they were in a problem and south medical help as soon as they could," Captain Penisson said.
The two firefighters were transported to the hospital and released by Sunday morning. While the two men recover from their injuries, Provo is desperately trying to find a way to recover from his losses.
"I don't have insurance on the house. I'm staying at a hotel for 3 days. After that, where I go from there, I don't know. I don't know where I'm going to go," He said with a blank stare towards the remnants of his home.
Provo says he believes he knows who started the fire at his home. But the fire department has not released a name of the suspect, only that the investigation is ongoing.
Captain Penisson says he and other supervisors go to fires to monitor firefighters conditions. Beaumont EMS also has a unit that responds with the fire department to all fires.
