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Youngsville firefighter seriously burned while trying to save friend

A Youngsville firefighter was seriously burned while trying to save his friend from an engulfed home.

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YOUNGSVILLE, N.C. — The second and third degree burns on Terry Perry's arms and legs are permanent reminders of his brave effort.

Many will consider Perry, a volunteer firefighter with the Youngsville Fire Department, a hero for trying to save his wheelchair-bound friend from a burning home Saturday morning, but doing so has left him in a bit of hurt.

"I am in so much pain right now it is ridiculous," he said.

Perry said he was taking breakfast to his friend, Ransom Bennett, when he smelled what he thought were burning wires coming from Bennett's home.

Perry said he followed the smell to a utility closet.

And then there was an explosion.

"It was like a bomb going off," he said. "The way that fire was coming, it was real fast."

Justin Roberson, who lives nearby, heard the explosion.

"I saw that the whole side of the house was fully engulfed,” said Roberson, who added that Bennett was in the living room at the time of the explosion. "The ceiling started falling in and there was smoke and fire everywhere."

Despite his serious burns, Perry said he ran into Bennett's house to get his friend. Moments later, both men emerged.

Bennett was unhurt.

Perry, who spent Father's Day at home with his family, will return to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center so doctors can graft skin from other parts of his body to replace the skin he lost in the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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