Young Firefighter Headed Home After Months In Burn Unit

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A young South Florida firefighter nearly lost his life several months ago after responding to an intentionally-set house. Today, just in time for Mother's Day, he's headed home from Ryder Trauma's Burn Center.

Jahwann McIntyre, then 22, nearly lost his life in December while trying to put out the house fire. More than 50-percent of his body was burnt by the flames.

On Friday, a smiling Jahwann McIntyre walked into Jackson Memorial Hospital's media room.

"As far as thinking about the incident…I did. And I still do," McIntyre said. "It's something you can't forget. I mean, I almost lost my life and you can't forget an event like that, and it definitely made me stronger."

Several months and eight surgeries later, with his doctors by his side, McIntyre, who celebrated his 23rd birthday in the burn unit, is finally going home.

"Today is a good day, an exciting day. My wife and I are taking our son home and it's been a journey," said McIntyre's father, Albert McIntyre.

"I owe it all to my doctors. They all worked extremely hard with me and they never gave up, never, even when I wanted to give up on myself," said the young firefighter.

His mother said having her youngest child home for Mother's Day is the best present she could have asked for.

"Everyone has been so amazing. The support is just so amazing," said Jahwann's mother, Doris McIntyre.

According to Jahwann, thoughts of his mother kept him alive on the day of the incident.

"I thought I was done, but my mom crossed my mind and that gave me the strength and courage to get up," he said. It was the thought of his mother that put him view of another firefighter who eventually dragged him outside.

Jahwann said that for now, his focus is on recovering so that he can one day return to his job as a firefighter.

"Once a firefighter, always a firefighter in my opinion, and I can't imagine doing anything else. That's where I belong. It is who I am. So I have to work hard to get back to my dream job of being a firefighter."

The man convicted of setting the house fire that injured McIntyre is now in prison.

When asked if Jahwann was able to forgive the man who set the fire, McIntyre shrugged and replied, "Absolutely."