The hero known as Iron Bill was recently hospitalized with pneumonia and cellulitis, according to a Facebook page managed by his wife.
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On May 31, 2013, Capt. Dowling was injured while fighting a massive fire at the Southwest Inn motel along the Southwest Freeway. He lost both legs after they were pinned beneath burning debris. Four heroes were killed in the five-alarm fire: Robert Bebee, Robert Garner, Matthew Renaud, and Anne Sullivan.
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"There were dozens of acts of heroism that took place that day, and our firefighters got Bill out of that situation and gave him the first chance of survival," then-HFD Fire Chief Terry Garrison said as Dowling was released from the hospital.
SEE ALSO: Update on Captain Dowling's condition following the fire
Captain William Dowling update post fire