Florence Township, N.J. Fire Marshal Brian Richardson remains in the intensive care unit, but his condition has gone from critical to stable over the weekend.
Richardson sustained the brunt of an explosion while battling semi-truck fire on a New Jersey highway on May 31. Six other firefighters were injured in the blast; only Richardson’s injuries were serious.
“Everyone’s surprised he’s making a comeback as quick as he is,” Florence Township Fire Chief Keith Scully told NJ.com. “We’re happy for him, but we’re still praying for him.”
The news site reports that Richardson is now alert and can recognize friends and family. Chief Scully visited Richards over the weekend.
“He knew who I was, and we talked about the call, and how he was feeling, stuff like that,” Chief Scully told NJ.com.
Florence Township Fire Department was one of six departments that responded to the truck fire. The truck was reportedly carrying oranges and it is unclear why an explosion blew the rear doors open.
According to WPVI-TV, New Jersey state police believe the fire began in the trailer’s rear breaks. The driver told police he saw smoke and pulled to the side of the road.
NJ.com reports that the fire is still under investigation.
Richardson is a 15-year veteran of the fire department whose duties also included fire prevention, the site reports.