A veteran firefighter — whose brush with death from a sudden explosion during a Brooklyn blaze last year was captured on video — walked out of a Manhattan hospital today after a miraculous recovery.
Robert Wiedmann, dressed in an FDNY T-shirt and with his arms still bandaged, flashed a grin as he thanked the doctors, family and fellow smoke-eaters for their support throughout his 10 grueling operations since the Dec. 19 fire in Crown Heights.
“I never thought I wouldn’t walk out of here,” said Wiedmann, 38, of Islip Terrace. “It took three months, but I did it.”
He was greeted with applause.
“Keep up the great work. We are going to be here all the way for you for the rest of your recovery,” said FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano.
The married father of two suffered burns on 54 percent of his body and spent 13 days on a respirator, said his doctors at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center.
His doctors praised Wiedmann for his courage during his painful recovery.
Wiedmann, who still has difficulty lifting his arms, said he’s looking forward to being home with his kids, Ryan, 12, and Erin, 8.
“Taking them to school, catch up with them,” he said. “ Three months is a long time. I can’t wait to go home and continue to be with them. “
Wiedmann, 14-year-verteran assigned to Rescure Company 2 in Brooklyn, was responding to fire at 1100 Prospect Place, an apartment building, when disaster struck.
Wiedman was inside the burning building searching for residents — unaware no one was home at the time — when he was suddenly engulfed by a sudden burst of flames.
“It was almost like a fireball . . . If the temperature gets too high, it explodes,’’ Fire Chief Edward Kilduff had said at the time. “All [Wiedmann] saw was orange at that point.”
Video taken by a passer-by showed balls of flame shooting through the windows as Wiedmann hung out of a broken frame amid billowing smoke.
Other firefighters raced with the ladder from a firetruck to reach him.
Before the ladder could even be fully extended, Wiedmann dove head first onto it. Then another firefighter crawled along the ladder and pulled him to safety.
While he suffered burns on his back and arms, his face had been saved by his protective equipment and ear flaps.
“I knew he would be OK. I’m very happy,” his wife, Cathy, said today. “It’s been a great day.”
Paul Somin, a firefighter from Rescue 2, praised Wiedmann.
“He has had a remarkably recovery,” Somin said. “We are looking forward to seeing him at the fire house. He is a very motivated and tremendous fireman. Rob was always positive. He is strong muscular guy. He never complained. He is mentally tough, too.”