MANCHESTER, N.H. (WHDH) - A heroic firefighter who suffered severe burns rescuing people from a blaze in New Hampshire was released from the hospital on Monday.
Steve DesRuisseaux, a fire captain in Manchester, helped save six people from a house fire earlier this month. A 59-year-old woman died in the blaze and DesRuisseaux was severely burned when his equipment got caught on a ladder.
DesRuisseaux was taken to Mass. General Hospital with burns on more than one-third of his body.
An emotional DesRuisseaux thanked his wife, Colleen, for her unwavering support after being greeted at his home by dozens of first responders, friends, and family.
“I just want to thank my wife, Colleen. She’s been by my side from the second it happened,” DesRuisseaux said. “I just can’t repay her enough.”
His fellow Manchester firefighters added improvements like railings and pull-down shower nozzles to his home in preparation for his return, and local firefighters stepped up to help pay for his family to stay near Mass. General, and also provided a Thanksgiving dinner at the hospital.
“We just are here to honor him and just to stand by him,” said John Soares, of the Manchester Firefighters Union.
After his release from the hospital, a Manchester fire truck and Massachusetts State Police cruisers escorted DesRuisseaux to the New Hampshire border, where local emergency officials took over.
“The support and the generosity, it’s just been overwhelming to me,” DesRuisseaux added. “I’m humbled by it all.”
DesRuisseaux noted that he hopes to be back fighting fires with his work family in six months.
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