Injured Hartford Firefighter Released From Hospital

A Hartford firefighter who was critically hurt in the blaze that killed his colleague earlier this month was released from Bridgeport Hospital on Thursday, according to a hospital spokesperson.

Jason Martinez, 29, is recovering at home in Manchester.

"I do know his family – and Jason himself – is overwhelmed with the outpouring of support they have received," Hartford Fire Capt. Helene Lynch said during a press conference Thursday.

The president of the firefighters' union, Vincent Fusco, said in a letter to Hartford firefighters on Tuesday that Martinez is "up and able to move around" and has been working hard to get better.

"He is very determined to make a complete recovery and is focused on his therapies," Fusco wrote.

According to the Hartford Firefighters Association, flames forced Martinez to jump from a second-floor window while fighting a two-alarm fire on Blue Hills Avenue on Oct. 7.

He suffered burns over 10 percent of his body and remained in critical condition at the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital for days after the fire.

"We continue showing our support for Firefighter Jason Martinez and his Family [sic] as he works toward recovering from his injuries in the Bridgeport Burn Center," Fusco wrote in the letter. "They are and will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers."

Fellow firefighter Kevin Bell died in the blaze, and Colin McWeeny and Kevin Burke received treatment for minor injuries. Both McWeeny and Burke were treated and released from Saint Francis Hospital.

"Firefighter McWeeny has burns on his head that are healing, and they don't want infection and are monitoring him," Lynch said at the media briefing.

McWeeny, of Engine 14, has not yet returned to work. Burke is back on the job at Engine 5, according to fire officials.

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