Burn Survivor Story | John McCullough | Grossman Burn Centers

I am forever grateful to everyone from the Firefighters Quest for all of the help they have given me.

I’d like to share with you my story.

On July 23, 2001 some friends came over to visit me and we decided to have a barbeque. I am used to cooking on a gas barbeque, however where I live in my new apartment I do not have a patio so I am not able to use one.

I had bought an inexpensive charcoal barbeque but I had not used it much in the last year. We were waiting for the coals to get hot and I guess I started getting inpatient since the coals were very slow in starting. The coals were supposed to be self-lighting and I did not have any of the proper lighter fluid to add to them.

I was cooking off of the carport and all of my supplies for flying my model airplane were right there in the trunk of my car. I thought I could add some model airplane fuel to the coals to get them going. That turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life. I should have known better, but I never dreamed that the fuel would explode the way it did. I poured a little of the fuel on the coals and it did not do anything so I poured a little more and the fire flashed. The fire followed the vapors to the airplane fuel in the can I was holding and it exploded on me. My clothes caught on fire and I was so shocked I stood frozen. Luckily the people I was with pushed and rolled me on the ground right away and called 911. It did not seem like the fire lasted more than just a few seconds but it is hard to estimate time when you have an accident. I was also very lucky that Burbank Fire Station 13 is only one block away from my apartment and they were there in just a couple of minutes.

I did not realize how badly I had been hurt. The firemen put me on the ambulance and started to treat me and the next thing I remember was waking up at the Grossman Burn Center. I had suffered second and third degree burns to 45 percent of my body. At first still did not realize how badly I had been hurt and did not know I would be in the hospital for about six weeks.

Dr. Simons from the Grossman Burn Center told me that sometimes when people have a tragic accident more good things come out of it than bad but I did not believe him. I realize now this is very true. I would never say that I am glad that I was burned but so many good things have happened since my accident. I have a much better relationship with my family, I have been reunited with my true close friends and our friendships are stronger than ever, and I have made so many new friends that will last a lifetime. I know I never have to feel alone.

I have been out of the hospital since August 31, 2001. I am back to work as an Animal Control Officer for the City of Burbank working full time. Dr. Grossman has told me he is pleased with my recovery and considering how badly I was burned I am doing very well. People who have had a burn injury continue to heal for a long time are they leave the hospital. It takes time to control the scars with the hard work of exercise and special garments. The doctors never thought I would be able to lift my arm straight over my head without additional surgery, but I show you here – I can do it. I still have a lot of healing to do but I am confident I will be all right.

I will never forget Bill Jensen coming to visit me in the hospital and giving me words of encouragement. I was so surprised at everything that was done for me by the Firefighters Quest and the Burbank Fire Department the day I went home from the hospital.

I never thought an accident like that would ever happen to me.

Thank you