Contributed Photo
Lt. Samod Rankins, seated at middle in front row, surrounded Thursday in the hospital burn unit by New Haven Firefighters James Hilton, Lt. Johnathan Clarke, Jasmine Williams, Taurese Washington. Back row: Bridgeport Firefighters Lt. Dennis Gregory, Pump Engineer Sheila Brennan, Battalion Chief Harold Clarke, Nicholas Porzett, Brian Zayas.
On his way to recovery, Lt. Samod “Nuke” Rankins Thursday paid tribute to Ricardo Torres Jr. along with hundreds of fellow firefighters from around the nation.
Rankins was able to suit up in his Class A dress fire uniform Thursday in the burn unit of Bridgeport Hospital, where he is recovering from injuries that almost killed him from fighting a Valley Street fire on May 12.
Rankins suited up so he could watch the livestream of the funeral at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven for Torres, who died fighting the same fire. Hundreds of firefighters descended on the city to participate in the event and cover for New Haven colleagues.
Rankins at first was placed in a coma at the burn unit after the fire. He is gradually getting better, as friends and family buttress him with prayers.
Rankins “took it very hard when he found out wasn’t going to be able to attend the funeral in person,” his family reported. “Some New Haven and Bridgeport Firefighters arrived to the Bridgeport burn unit this morning and sat by [his] side as he watched the funeral via live stream.”