Gresham firefighter recounts experience after suffering severe burns in duplex fire

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A firefighter who was seriously hurt during a Gresham duplex fire in late May spoke about his ordeal for the first time Thursday afternoon.

Firefighter Spencer Tejedas spent months recovering at the Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center after the fire broke out on SE 182nd Avenue and Madison Way on May 30.

Firefighters at the scene had been told a child with disabilities was trapped inside a bedroom. However, when three firefighters - including Tejedas - entered the duplex, the teen was safely outside the home.

Tejedas and crew member Jack Pilarski then got caught in the middle of a flash fire — when all the flammable material in the area simultaneously exploded.

"All the sudden, I get this unsettling feeling in my stomach and just the heat over all else, overcame me on the back of my neck I just knew it was bad," Tejedas recalled. "The last thing I remember is [Jack] coming towards me and just fire."

Chaos erupted as flames consumed Tejedas, melting his protective gear to his skin.

Two of the injured firefighters were treated and released from Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, but officials said Tejedas suffered severe burns on more than 45% of his body.

Friends then set up a GoFundMe to aid in Tejedas’ recovery, which reached nearly $250,000 in donations. 

"There were definitely moments we thought were going to lose him when he was in the hospital," said his wife, Melea Shewman. "Once he came out of the woods and he was waking up, there were a lot of bittersweet moments."

Tejedas's injuries were primarily to his arms and hands. But four of his fingers from his left hand and two on his right required amputation. As a result, he said he would have to wear compression sleeves on his arms for the next year.

Described as dedicated and driven, Tejedas has worked with Gresham Fire since November 2020. He is also a father to two children.

Despite the extent of his injuries, Tejedas said he hopes to continue working for Gresham Fire in any capacity following 18 weeks of intense rehab at the Oregon Burn Center.