The Associated Press

Photo Courtesy of SedaliaDemocrat.com Firefighter Rick Morris.

SEDALIA, Mo. — A 33-year veteran of the Sedalia Fire Department who was badly burned in a fire last week died Thursday night in a Columbia hospital.

Rick Morris had been hospitalized since April 8, when he suffered second- and third-degree burns over half of his body while battling a house fire.

Soon after the fire, the city had issued a statement that said doctors expected Morris to recover.

"We are extremely saddened by the tragic loss of a man who spent three decades serving our community," Fire Chief Mike Ditzfeld said in a statement.

"I ask the community to join my department and me in keeping Mary Lou Morris and her family in our thoughts and prayers as they deal with this tragedy."

Information from: The Sedalia Democrat, http://www.sedaliademocrat.com