More than $60,000 raised for Philadelphia firefighter injured while battling blaze
Randy Ballinger, with Ladder 13, was rushed to the hospital after falling from the roof of a two-story row home.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia firefighter who suffered multiple injuries while battling a fire on Saturday morning remains hospitalized.
Randy Ballinger, with Ladder 13 of the Philadelphia Fire Department, fell nearly 25 feet from a roof at a two-story row home on the 1100 block of South Paxon Street in the city's Kingsessing neighborhood.
A GoFundMe has been started by his fellow firefighters to help his family with the cost of medical bills.
His injuries listed online include a collapsed lung, broken ribs, a broken pelvis, and multiple long bone fractures in both legs.
By Monday morning, the GoFundMe has raised over $60,000.
"On this job things happen. For all the safety precautions we have, this is something that just happened. I believe Randy was lowering his equipment off the roof through a rope, lowering saws down and was in the overhaul process where he got hurt," explained Raymond Vozzelli, a trustee with Local 22, IAFF Philadelphia Firefighters' & Paramedics' Union. "Just keep the firefighters in mind. It's a dangerous job. The more positive vibes we have coming to us the better."
Vozzelli says Ballinger remains in good spirits.
The Philadelphia Fire Department posted this message to social media: "The PFD appreciates the outpouring of concern for a member who suffered multiple injuries while responding to a fire on Saturday. We are providing our full support to this firefighter, his family and his colleagues. We wish him well on the road to recovery."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and no other injuries were reported.
Action News told Ballinger is expected to have more surgeries on Monday, on top of the procedures from over the weekend.
