Alonzo Small

The News Journal

A Wilmington firefighter recovering from injuries sustained in a fatal September blaze is coming home.

Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Goode announced on Twitter Wednesday that Brad Speakman will be escorted home from the Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pennsylvania, by the city’s fire department and other public safety agencies beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Speakman has been hospitalized since he was critically injured in an early morning fire on Sept. 24 at a Canby Park rowhome. The fire claimed the lives of Capt. Christopher Leach and Lt. Jerry Fickes after the first floor of the rowhome collapsed.

They were the first Wilmington firefighters to die in the line of duty in 18 years.

RELATED: Progress reported for injured Wilmington firefighters

Speakman and Senior Firefighter Ardythe Hope were both seriously injured after entering the rowhome in an attempt to save a trapped Leach when the floor gave way.

Hope remains at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center in critical condition.

“While we prepare to take Brad home we also stand united to pray and support Arty & her family as she continues to improve!” Goode said on Twitter.

Speakman suffered burns to 30 percent of his body, according to a detective’s testimony in an October preliminary hearing for Beatriz Fana-Ruiz.

Fana-Ruiz, 27, faces charges of murder, arson, assault and reckless endangerment. She is currently awaiting trial.

Police said Fana-Ruiz grew angry and set fire to the rowhome after she found her belongings had been touched and moved around in the basement.

Last week, the fatal fire site was set to be demolished over the span of seven days.

A three-year veteran of the Wilmington Police Department, Speakman was upgraded to stable condition after he was listed critical in the aftermath of the blaze.

A post shared on Facebook on Sept. 28 by the Newcastle County Uniformed Firefighters IAFF Local 4417 on behalf of Laura Speakman, Brad Speakman’s wife, offered an update on his condition.

“Brad continues to improve every day. He is more alert and his spirits seem a little better each day,” Laura Speakman said.

The post revealed Speakman’s wounds were being assessed daily and he was able to walk down the hall and wave to everyone in the waiting room. A picture showed Speakman bandaged but smiling.

“This progress will be based on how he is feeling each day,” she said.

Laura Speakman also shared her gratitude to everyone who shared get well wishes and offered help during a difficult time.

“We are incredibly grateful for the love and support from everyone,” Speakman said. "From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU."

Contact Alonzo Small at (302) 324-2856 or asmall@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @P_AlonzoSmall.