Firefighter injured during call remains in critical

WASHINGTON - A D.C. probationary firefighter who was injured during a call last week in the District remains in critical condition, fire officials say.

At a press conference on Thursday, Jason Woods, President of D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation said that Dane Smothers, Jr. has undergone three surgeries and is expected to undergo a fourth.

"He still has a long road to go with his recovery," Woods said about Smothers who remains hospitalized at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Woods said the family is overwhelmed by the support they have received since he was injured.

Fire officials say a fundraiser for Smothers held yesterday was a success and that the proceeds will go to the family.

28-year- old Smothers Jr. was injured last Wednesday after his engine responded to the two-alarm blaze at a home in the 800 block of F Street in the Northeast.

He had just gotten off of his truck and was helping to get hoses set up when he was struck by an arriving ladder truck.