Gresham firefighter badly burned in duplex fire expected to return home soon

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A firefighter who was seriously hurt during a Gresham duplex fire in late May has moved to a rehabilitation facility to complete his healing process.

Firefighter Spencer Tejedas has been at the Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center since 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 the three entered the duplex, the teen was safely outside the home.

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.

“I’ve had firefighters get hurt; none as bad as Spencer has,” Fire Chief Scott Lewis said in June. “He’s still a very sick, very hurt young man, and he has a long road of recovery ahead of him.”

Friends set up a GoFundMe to aid in Tejedas’ recovery, which has so far reached more than $240,000 in donations. Tejedas is set to be in rehab for the next two to three weeks before returning home to his family.

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

Back in June, Shewman told KOIN 6 News that her husband “likes a good challenge and has to be the best at everything, so he’s going to be the best at getting better.”