Jacksonville firefighters face long road to recovery after cargo ship explosion

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department said all but two firefighters injured when an explosion erupted on a cargo ship Thursday night are expected to be released from the hospital Friday.

QUICK FACTS:

  • Eight firefighters suffered serious burns from the explosion. A ninth firefighter was taken to the hospital with heat exhaustion before the blast.
  • Four firefighters were taken to the UF Health Shands Burn Unit in Gainesville. Two were taken by helicopter and two were transported on the ground. Two firefighters will stay throughout the weekend, so doctors can assess if skin grafts are necessary. The other two firefighters are back in Jacksonville.
  • Four firefighters were treated for burns at UF Health in Jacksonville. One firefighter had to have surgery on his arm for a compound fracture, JFRD Chief Keith Powers said.