Firefighters rebound from injuries

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A Mobile firefighter is released from the hospital a day after he was injured on the job. Chip Hendricks, along with three others, were trying to put out a house fire when the flames got too close.

Thomas McCary said his neighbor is his hero. The two shared a duplex on Bush Avenue in Mobile, a duplex that has been reduced to rubble. Fire ravaged it Monday evening, and that's when McCary said his neighbor saved his life.

"He broke down the door and I had a dead bolt, he broke down the door and he is my hero. Jonathon Bouie is my hero," said McCary.

Bouie said the fire started in his bedroom.

"I heard something pop, opened the door and there were flames everywhere," McCary explained.

When Bouie saw the flames he got everyone out.

"I don't consider it saving because I got him out and my three daughters. I am grateful everyone is still living today," said Bouie.

While the people who lived here were able to get out safely, four firefighters were injured. Steve Huffman with Mobile Fire Rescue said the fire got so hot it flashed over, meaning everything inside reached its boiling point and burst into flames. Huffman said it happened as all of the men were trying to get out.

"They could have been cooked in that house had they not gotten out when they did, typically even with best equipment you can have about five minutes to get out," shared Huffman.

Three of the firefighters that were injured finished their shift , while a fourth was taken to a hospital. He's since been released.

Fire officials said it just goes to show you how dangerous their job can be. That's something these residents know firsthand now.

The cause of this fire is still under investigation.