UPDATE: MARYLAND FIREFIGHTER IMPROVING AFTER BEING BURNED AT HOUSE FIRE

The injuries sustained by Fire Fighter Weems included burns injuries to his hands, ears and thigh.  He was transported by paramedics to the Burn Unit at the Washington Hospital Center where he has been since Christmas Eve. That Christmas Eve fire at 5128 Flintridge Drive in Landover Hills was extinguished by 30 firefighters in about 15 minutes; however, recovery will be a painful process for some time to come for many involved.  The blaze caused $80,000 in estimated fire loss, injured one firefighter, displaced two families and two family pets, both dogs, perished in the fire.  The fire appears to have originated in the basement and the cause remains under investigation. 

One of the firefighters that battled the blaze, assisted in the extinguishment, and was injured while doing so was Fire Fighter Kevin Weems.  The injuries sustained by Fire Fighter Weems included burns injuries to his hands, ears and thigh.  He was transported by paramedics to the Burn Unit at the Washington Hospital Center where he remains as of today.  He has 15 years experience as a firefighter, with his last 3 years as a member of the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department.

After spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the Burn Unit, Fire Fighter Weems, his family, friends and co-workers look forward to his release, hopefully, sometime today.  His injuries will need time and continued physical therapy before being able to return to full duty.