Fire Victim Reunites With Superior Firefighters Who Saved His Life

Over two years after the housefire that changed his life, Henry Wentzel finally got to hug the firefighters who found him

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — It was a special day at the Superior Fire Department Thursday because after over two years, a fire victim was able to thank the firefighters who helped save his life.

In the morning of October 21st, 2021, Henry Wentzel was asleep when a surge protector in his bedroom sparked and lit curtains on fire. Wentzel was found unconscious by Superior firefighters. When he arrived at the hospital, over 60 percent of his body was covered in third-degree burns and they weren’t sure if he would survive.

“I was in the hospital, it was after nine weeks of coma,” Wentzel said. “So when I first woke up, I didn’t see a lot, I didn’t think a lot. They weren’t sure if I was going to end up in hospice, they didn’t know if my brain was mush, because I was dead for a while. And I had a burn in my skull that they had to grind away.”

During Wentzel’s gradual recovery, he said a police officer reached out and helped him set up a reunion with the firefighters who saved his life. Wentzel said he wanted to thank them in person because ‘he’s a hugger’ and seeing them today ‘gave him goosebumps.’ He wasn’t the only one appreciative for the reunion.

“We think it’s great,” said Battalion Chief Steve Miner.  “We don’t have opportunities like that very often. A lot of times we don’t get any updates at all, let alone have conversations with the individuals later. I think it’s great for Henry, it’s meaningful to him and it’s absolutely meaningful to our folks here to have that.”

Wentzel said he’s “very grateful” to Superior firefighters. He’d also like to remind people to replace their surge protectors every couple of years or after they’ve been tripped a few times.