Swansea Firefighters Honored For Saving Man’s Life

A group of volunteer firefighters from Swansea were among those honored by Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday.

The firefighters were honored for their actions in the rescue of Michael Medeiros at his home roughly four months ago.

Medeiros told NBC10 that he was knocked unconscious during the fire.

"I remember hearing the smoke alarm go off and I was on the floor crawling around and my lungs and my throat was like burning," said Medeiros "and that's all I remember until I woke up in the hospital again."

Firefighters found the unconscious Medeiros despite the low visibility in the home.

Medeiros had to be carried down a second story ladder and required CPR once they got him on the ground.

Fire Chief Peter Burke says he wasn't sure Medeiros would pull through.

"I didn't think he was going to make it," said Burke "just by the looks of him and the fact that he was in that kind of atmosphere."

Medeiros spent several days in a coma but has since recovered.

One of the honorees, Fire Lt. Brett Medeiros says he was just helping a neighbor in need.

"We're helping out our neighbors, that's the way I look at it," said Medeiros "they would do it for me and I'm just trying to help out any way I can."

Officials believe the fire was caused by smoking.