MATTHEWS — The Matthews Fire Department lieutenant who fell through an attic while fighting a house fire talked with Channel 9 in an exclusive interview Sunday.
Chief: Injured firefighter released from hospital, resting at home
Lt. James Garris was injured while responding to a house fire on Selma Burke Lane Friday night. He was released from the hospital Saturday.
Lt. Garris said he and two other firefighters entered the home after a van parked in the driveway caught fire and the blaze quickly spread into the attic of the house.
"As I got into the attic, the fire was beginning to come back up," recalled Garris. "While I was putting out the fire I slipped and fell in between two rafters. I was just hanging there by my helmet."
Garris's helmet stopped his fall but left him dangling eight feet from a bedroom floor below.
IMAGES: Chief- Firefighter injured at Matthews house fire
"I don't know how long I was there but I remember when I fell, my mask got pulled off," said Garris. "I was breathing in nothing but smoke from the attic."
With one arm stretched above his head and the other by his waist, Garris said he was able to call for help.
"The only thing I was able to get out was, 'Mayday, mayday, mayday," said Garris.
It was the last thing the 34-year-old remembered before waking up in the front yard of the home.
"I don't remember the fall at all," said Garris.
Garris had fallen eight feet to the bedroom below. The impact forced his air pack into the back of his head, knocking him unconscious. Other firefighters said his body was blocking the door and they had to push their way in to get to him and pull him to safety.
"I remember there being a burning sensation in my throat and my chest and this incredible pain in my head and neck," recalled Garris.
Garris was given a police escort to CMC Main where doctors said he suffered a severe concussion.
Garris told Channel 9 he's seeing life a little differently but the incident reaffirmed his choice as a career firefighter.
"We're not guaranteed that we're going to come home. This is just another example of just how short (life) can be. I'm not going to stop being a fireman. This is the path chosen for me," said Garris.
Garris also wanted to thank his fellow firefighters as well as members of surrounding jurisdictions who came to visit him while in the hospital.
The county fire marshal has not yet released a cause of the fire.
EXCLUSIVE: Matthews Fire Department Lieutenant describes frightening fall
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