BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Hundreds of friends, family and members of the community attended a vigil Saturday for a firefighter who was severely injured in a blaze.
Lt. Andrew Johnson was hospitalized and placed in ICU after he sustained severe smoke inhalation while battling a blaze last week. Officials believe Johnson’s SCBA malfunctioned during the fire.
“Our answers are in prayer. It’s been very tough. It’s a tough thing to see your children’s minster laying there, but it’s also a tough thing to see your best friend lying there,” Steve Abney, Johnson’s best friend told WTVM.
Birmingham Fire Chief Charles Gordon said Johnson remains sedated at ICU and is making improvements every day.
“You never want the phone to ring to tell you that there’s a firefighter down. For me it’s been a trying time,” Gordon said. “He’s always praying for others, so it’s our opportunity to give back to Andrew.”