KRISTIN J. BENDER
San Jose Mercury News

OAKLAND - A 36-year-old Oakland firefighter remains in the intensive care unit in stable condition at Highland Hospital on Thursday after suffering significant facial injuries after an explosion in the engine of an RV parked in the Laurel district.

The Oakland Fire Department is not releasing his name, Battalion Chief Melinda Drayton said.

He was hit in the face and mouth with siding and other flying debris from the RV and underwent five hours of surgery Wednesday night. He is expected to be in physical therapy and off work for up to eight months, she said.

The firefighter, who is from Brentwood and has a wife and children, did not suffer any internal injuries and was not burned, she said. If all goes as planned, doctors will release him Sunday, Drayton said.

The RV was parked at the end of a cul-de-sac in the 4200 block of Redding Avenue when the owner started to do some work on the engine in an attempt to move the rig about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Drayton said.

A fire started, and the RV owner used a fire extinguisher but was unable to douse out the flames. He called 911, and firefighters responded.

Firefighters were attempting to put out the fire when the explosion happened, Drayton said. No one else was injured.

Drayton credited an elderly man for assisting the firefighter until paramedics arrived on the scene. She also said the owner of the RV was cooperative.

Police worked with the Oakland Fire Department to clear the freeway and side streets so the firefighter could be rushed to the hospital. Oakland police have joined fire officials in investigating the fire.

It was not immediately clear if the owner of the RV was camped out at the end of the cul-de-sac or had broken down there.

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California Firefighter Seriously Injured in RV Fire, Explosion

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April 7, 2011