Firefighter who suffered from internal burns discharged from hospital

HICKORY HILLS, Ill. (WLS) -- A firefighter who was seriously injured while putting out a fire in southwest suburban Justice returned home after being discharged from the hospital on Wednesday.

Roberts Park Fire Protection District Lieutenant Clint Sanders was on the job when he was seriously injured, suffering from internal burns to his lungs and hands, on Dec. 27. He was transported in serious condition to Loyola Medical Center.

Wednesday, Sanders returned home, thanking those around him for their support.

"I appreciate all the people that looked out over me the last couple of weeks, my family, my coworkers, hospital staff has been amazing," Sanders said.

Sanders, a husband and father of two, joined the Roberts Park Fire Protection District when he was 16 years old as a volunteer. He is now 44 years old, and has been with the department 28 years.

"You often hear the fire service being referred to as a brotherhood. This is the best example I can give you of what that means. These are truly his brothers and sisters," said Roberts Park Fire Protection District Chief Jeff Ketchen.

Ketchen said seeing Sanders return was healing for his entire brigade.

"Everybody has each other's backs, that's what we do, no matter what the consequence," Sanders said.