KNOXVILLE, Tenn.-- Andersonville firefighter Derrick Phillips is walking around the UT Medical Center a week after he was severely injured while fighting a trailer home fire.
"He's doing a lot better than he was Monday. He's alert, able to talk and interact with us," says Andersonville Fire Chief Mark Dison.
Still burned and bandaged, Phillips sat next to his wife, Casey, while they visited with 6 News.
Though he appears to be healing, those in the room with him can hear his troubled breathing.
Chief Dison spoke for him. "As of Saturday, they took him off the ventilator. Saturday afternoon, he was sitting up talking to everyone."
Phillips was burned in a fire on Jade Court in Anderson County.
Officials have said Phillips was in the smoke-filled trailer when "problems occurred." Investigators won't say more than that.
A Lifestar helicopter flew Phillips 20 miles to UT Medical Center.
"He had second and third degree burns to his face and spotted areas. The biggest problem was smoke inhalation," Dison says.
Though he still needs time to heal, fellow firefighters, friends and family are thankful Phillips' injuries weren't worse.
"We're fortunate it wasn't worse. It's by the grace of God he's at where he is now," Dison says.
The Andersonville Fire Department will hold a chili and pie fundraiser for the Phillips family on March 31 at 5:00 p.m. at Anderson County High School.
You can purchase tickets at the door or from any Anderson County emergency worker.
Republished with permission of WATE-TV.
