A Hartford firefighter who was badly injured while battling a two-alarm blaze in 2014 that killed one of his colleagues and injured two others has returned to work.
Jason Martinez, of Manchester, returned to work on Tuesday.
“I would like to thank my Brother and Sister firefighters in the Hartford Fire Department and from departments across the country for the support they provided to me and my family during this difficult time. I feel 100% and am going back to the job I love doing. I hope this experience will prevent other departments and firefighters from suffering a similar tragedy,” Martinez said in a statement.
He sustained burns over 10 percent of his body while fighting the fire at a two-family home on Blue Hills Avenue in Hartford on Oct. 7, 2014. Firefighter Kevin Bell was killed in the fire.
According to the Hartford Firefighters Association, flames forced Martinez to jump from a second-floor window while he searched the home.
Martinez, a member of Tactical Unit 1, Tour A who has served the Hartford Fire Department since 2007, was brought to the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital and was recovering at home after being released from the burn center.
Martinez is training during the day and will be back in the fire house tonight, officials said.
Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com/Hartford Fire Department