Fort Myers firefighters almost killed in Blake Street Fire back on the job

FORT MYERS, Fla.- After two firefighters nearly died in a Blake Street one year ago, the department tells WINK News they are making changes to the way they train, in hopes of keeping their team alive.

In January 2014, a raging fire at the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, almost took the life of two firefighters.

‘They are lucky, we are lucky,” said Chief Trent Bowen.

The chief says there were lessons learned, and changes to training.

“Maybe a little better awareness, a little better size up.  We look at the structure and do a quick size up as to what we have. Visit buildings around town with similar structure.”

Firefighter Tony Price broke both clavicles as well as six ribs in the fire. He also suffered from two collapsed lungs.

Fellow firefighter Shane Remy suffered a broken hip.

Price says his gear was tangled and Remy was helping him when he heard a crack.

“What fell was an unsupported overhang,” said Chief Bowen.

Price got trapped between a rock and a wall, his helmet saved his life. Today, Price is back on light duty, just working in the office.

“Tony is a very smart young man, and his skills, he’s strong, jumps right in, gets the job done,” said Bowen.

Remy is back in the field, fighting fires.

“He’s focused, he’s smart, he’s a thinking firefighter which that’s what you need to be,” said Bowen.

Both Price and Remy said they were too shy to talk to our cameras. WINK News did speak to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity who says they knocked down their former building, and will rebuild within the next couple months.