Firefighter back home after week in critical care
BBCA firefighter has returned home after spending nearly two weeks in hospital, including a week in critical care, following a huge blaze in Stoke-on-Trent.
"Although this is a positive step, he still has a journey of recovery ahead and will continue to be supported by the service," a spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue said.
They said six firefighters were taken to hospital after responding to the incident in Sandyford on 13 August, with five of them being discharged soon afterwards.
The family of the firefighter who remained in hospital said they were grateful for the kindness they had been shown and for the messages they had received.
The incident was a reminder of how quickly fires can spread during prolonged periods of hot, dry weather, the fire service said.
"[The firefighter's] family hope that his experience encourages people to think carefully before using barbecues or other ignition sources on our green spaces in Staffordshire," the spokesperson added.
On Wednesday, the council said people who had been made homeless following the blaze had begun moving on from emergency accommodation into longer-term housing.
Two people who were arrested in connection with the fire were later released on bail.
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