Hey,
Typical mop-up work after a fire changed in an instant
for West Point (Indiana) Fire Chief Gary Cheesman.
for West Point (Indiana) Fire Chief Gary Cheesman.
“The instant it happened, ‘oh my goodness, I just
lost an eye for a vacant house’,” Cheesman said.
lost an eye for a vacant house’,” Cheesman said.
The fire with suspicious origins broke out January 23
near Attica. West Point Volunteer
Firefighters fought the fire from the outside because it was vacant.
near Attica. West Point Volunteer
Firefighters fought the fire from the outside because it was vacant.
Chief Cheesman said the house had hundreds of rounds of
ammunition inside. Firefighters had
heard bullets explode as they worked the fire, but thought none of the possible
projectiles were traveling beyond the structure.
ammunition inside. Firefighters had
heard bullets explode as they worked the fire, but thought none of the possible
projectiles were traveling beyond the structure.
The fire was knocked down and he had walked to the back
of the house to discuss what firefighters should do next. Because he was running the pumper and was
wearing a radio headset around his head, he wasn’t wearing his helmet. That’s
when it happened.
of the house to discuss what firefighters should do next. Because he was running the pumper and was
wearing a radio headset around his head, he wasn’t wearing his helmet. That’s
when it happened.
“There was a bang that went off,” Cheesman
said. “It felt like someone punched
me.” A primer cap from a .223
caliber bullet entered in the corner of his eye by his nose and lodged behind the
eyeball.
said. “It felt like someone punched
me.” A primer cap from a .223
caliber bullet entered in the corner of his eye by his nose and lodged behind the
eyeball.
“I thought I lost it,” Cheesman said. “I thought ‘this old house, that’s worth
nothing, and I lose an eye over it’.”
nothing, and I lose an eye over it’.”
Anywhere else on his face and doctors think he would have
had just a scratch.
had just a scratch.
Paramedics rushed Chief Cheesman to the hospital.
Surgery last week has helped improve the Chiefs vision as
it’s getting better, but it’s still blurry. Doc’s told the Chief they are
hopeful his vision will clear completely in 4 to 8 weeks and he’ll be back on
the job.
it’s getting better, but it’s still blurry. Doc’s told the Chief they are
hopeful his vision will clear completely in 4 to 8 weeks and he’ll be back on
the job.
Chief Cheesman said he’s been overwhelmed by the response
sincerity fighters and friends since January 23. He hopes his story serves as a
reminder to everyone who work in potentially dangerous situations, to always
wear all of your protective gear-including eye protection.
sincerity fighters and friends since January 23. He hopes his story serves as a
reminder to everyone who work in potentially dangerous situations, to always
wear all of your protective gear-including eye protection.
HERE is much more: http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/news/local/freak-accident-nearly-claims-eyesight-of-volunteer-fire-chief
Take Care-BE CAREFUL
BillyG
The Secret List 2-3-12 / 2233 hours
