Chicago firefighter John Anderson was left paralyzed after being injured in a fire in Burnside near 90th, Langley

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago firefighter has a long road to recovery after suffering a life-changing injury last week.

He was injured fighting a fire in the Burnside area of ​​the city.

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John Anderson is now partially paralyzed, but fellow firefighters are joining forces to help Anderson and his family with rising medical costs.

Anderson is described as a character who is known to always be joking.

“You don’t spend long with him without laughing about something,” Chicago Fire Chief Chris Steinmetz said.

Steinmetz got to know Anderson very well. They are both firefighters and work out of a fire station in Burnside.

At fifty years old, Anderson is the oldest among his colleagues. He took on the role of father figure and took on duties as a cook at the firehouse.

“It was one of the best things about being here, having great meals every day. He was always excellent,” Steinmetz said.

But now Anderson is being cared for by his colleagues after suffering a catastrophic injury.

Friday evening, firefighters responded to a house fire at 90th Street and Langley Avenue, and Anderson was outside when a large object fell on him.

He is now permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

“We had just come back from a fire right before. So we were just working with each other. And then, in the blink of an eye, things change,” Steinmetz said.

Anderson’s older brother, Roy, is among those stunned by the tragic turn of events.

Both have continued the family tradition of being firefighters.

“His brother, father, grandfather, uncle and cousins ​​all served in the fire department. His grandfather died in the line of duty in 1962,” Steinmetz said.

Steinmetz said Anderson has a challenging road to recovery but appears to be making the best of it.

“He’s in good spirits; he was joking. He was pretty much back to the old John,” Steinmetz said.

Steinmetz started a fundraising campaign for Anderson’s medical and home modification costs. Visit www.theyardfoundation.org/mayday/john-anderson for more information.