Milwaukee firefighter returns home after suffering severe burn injures in multi-home blaze

A Milwaukee firefighter who was seriously burned fighting a three-home fire on April 14 is on his way home after weeks of treatment.

Ryan McMenamin will continue "to recover in the comfort of his home," the Milwaukee Fire Department announced Friday, after he had been at Ascension Columbia St. Mary's Burn Clinic since receiving second- and third-degree burns across his body.

McMenamin was injured in a deadly blaze that started in a vacant home at 2467 S. Eighth St., before it spread to two homes and killed a 72-year-old woman.

"We appreciate the excellent care he has received at St. Mary’s, whose staff will continue to support him as he focuses on his rest and recovery in his home with his family," the release said. "Ryan has exuded an excellent attitude throughout, and the MFD will continue to be at his side in the months ahead as he readies himself to come back to the career he was made for."

The April fire happened on the 2400 block of South Eighth Street on Milwaukee's south side. It began in an abandoned home at 2467 S. Eighth St. and a Red Cross spokesperson previously told the Journal Sentinel the fire displaced about 10 to 13 people.

In a press conference after the fire, Milwaukee Fire Department Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said McMenamin, who was not identified at the time, suffered some third-degree burns and burns affecting about 23% of his body, mostly to his back. At the time, Lipski said "we were probably 30 seconds away from talking about planning a firefighter funeral."

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the 72-year-old woman as Monica Lemke, who lived with her husband Norwood at 2471 S. Eighth St.

Norwood told the medical examiner's office his wife had mobility issues. She yelled from upstairs that she smelled something burning prior to her dying in the fire. Norwood said he had no family members, and he would have to work with the American Red Cross for living arrangements.

In his press conference, Lipski said the firefighter was injured while attempting to rescue Lemke in the attic of their home. The floor then became "100% involved" in flames and multiple mayday calls, including from the trapped firefighter, were issued. McMenamin was rescued 12 minutes later.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Firefighter returns home after suffering burns in large April fire.