Riverside, California — A California man could lose both of his legs after jumping from an apartment window while trying to help a pregnant woman escape a rapidly spreading fire. His family says Brian Jackson put his own life at risk to give the woman a chance to survive, leaving him facing multiple surgeries, months of rehabilitation and an uncertain future.
Jackson was visiting friends at a Riverside apartment complex early Thursday, Sept. 17, when firefighters responded to a major structure fire at about 2:15 a.m. local time.
According to Riverside Fire Division Chief Greg White, crews arrived to find a two-story apartment building fully engulfed in flames.
Firefighters Find Residents Trapped at Windows
Firefighters quickly encountered people in desperate circumstances. Two residents were found hanging from windows of an adjacent apartment, while other people were already outside on the ground after jumping from the building.
Fire personnel rescued the residents hanging from the windows and immediately began treating people who had suffered injuries. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished, but several people required medical attention.
Five people were transported to a local hospital, including a firefighter who was taken for minor treatment after operations at the scene were completed. Firefighters also rescued two dogs from the apartment. Sadly, three other dogs were found dead.
Because of privacy protections, White could not officially confirm details about individual patients. However, he said it was understood that one person found on the ground was a pregnant woman who had jumped from a window before firefighters arrived.
Jackson Says He Tried to Help the Pregnant Woman
Jackson later described what happened from his hospital bed. In an interview, he recalled seeing the woman preparing to jump from a high window and tried to convince her not to do it.
“When I seen her try to jump out of the window, I said no you can’t do that. You’re going to kill yourself if you jump out this window,” Jackson said from his hospital bed. “Look how high it is. She’s like, ‘Well, what else am I gonna do?”
Jackson then offered to go first and help her reach safety.
He said he jumped before her, but moments later, a loud explosion occurred and he was pushed from the building.
“And then next thing you know, I got pushed off,” Jackson said.
The injuries from the fall were severe.
He Now Faces the Possibility of Losing Both Legs
Jackson was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery following the incident.
His family says the injuries included two broken legs and two broken ankles, while he also lost feeling in his right foot. His stepdaughter Tehani Gutierrez told KTLA that doctors are concerned enough that Jackson could ultimately lose both legs.
The hospital did not comment on Jackson’s condition because of patient privacy restrictions. Despite the severity of his injuries, Jackson’s family says his first concern after waking up was not himself.
His First Question Was About the Mother and Baby
Jackson’s daughter Maia Gutierrez told that after waking up, her father immediately wanted to know whether the pregnant woman and her baby were safe.
That moment has become especially meaningful for his family as Jackson faces a long recovery. His stepdaughter Elexis Hernandez has described him as a hero and launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his medical expenses.
“Not the kind you see on TV – the real kind,”
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Hernandez wrote while describing her stepfather’s actions.
The family’s financial concerns are particularly serious because Jackson had reportedly been living out of his car while working full time before the fire. Now, his injuries have left him unable to work as he undergoes treatment and faces an uncertain recovery.
Family Rallies Behind Injured Hero
By Wednesday, Sept. 23, the family’s GoFundMe fundraiser had raised more than $24,000 toward Jackson’s medical and recovery expenses.
Hernandez said the family is now trying to manage mounting medical costs while supporting Jackson through what could be a lengthy rehabilitation process.
“Now, my hero is stuck in a hospital bed, broken and in pain,” Hernandez wrote.
She added:
“Brian is facing multiple surgeries, months of rehab, and a long road where he won’t be able to work or walk,” she wrote. “The medical bills are already piling up and we are trying to hold our family together.”
For Jackson’s family, the fire has changed everything in a matter of minutes. A man who was simply visiting friends that night is now recovering from devastating injuries after trying to help another person escape a burning building.
What do you think about Brian Jackson’s actions during the fire? Share your thoughts and send your support to Jackson and his family in the comments below.
