First, she received a call that her house was on fire. Her thoughts started racing. "What's going to happen to us. Where are we going to stay?
One thing that wasn't an immediate concern -- her husband.
He's a firefighter and was already on scene putting out the flames.
"As soon as the first crew got here, he put on his gear and did what he's always done to save other people's houses," Nichols said.
Soon, the gear had to come off. Her husband started suffering heart problems.
"His chest started hurting and they pulled him off."
He needed to go to the hospital, but he refused treatment. One of his fellow firefighters was down, injured inside the burning house.
"He was more concerned about the firefighter down than he was about himself."
Like a true hero, he waited until he knew his colleague was safe before taking off to the emergency room.
"He wouldn't go until he knew that firefighter was taken care of."
The Nichols have two children, but no one was home when the fire started. The family does have insurance. Their home is destroyed inside, so they'll have to stay with other family for a night.
Both of those firefighters injured are said to be doing ok.
Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.
