Firefighter who misplaced all the pieces to Eaton Hearth shocked with new automotive – NBC Los Angeles

A firefighter who suffered smoke inhalation whereas attempting to save lots of his dwelling and the properties of his neighbors obtained a beneficiant shock after he misplaced all the pieces to the Eaton Hearth.

Los Angeles Hearth Division firefighter John Stuhlman and his spouse, Monica, misplaced their dwelling of 17 years within the Eaton Hearth final month. Whereas flames started to tear by means of Altadena, John was responding to the Palisades Hearth till frantic calls from Monica urged him to return dwelling.

“I used to be lucky sufficient to have a division car with my gear, so I suited up, made the neighbors go away … I stayed behind, I made an try to save lots of the neighbor’s home first then my home,” he stated.

Regardless of his greatest efforts, Stuhlman’s dwelling was destroyed and he suffered facial burns and smoke inhalation throughout his firefight. The couple misplaced cherished objects that included their engagement rings, Stuhlman’s Marine uniforms and army medals that belonged to him and his late father. Along with the ache of dropping their dwelling, the couple suffered the ache introduced upon by looters who focused their property.

In an effort to assist the Stuhlmans, SoCal Honda Sellers shocked the firefighter with a brand new Honda CR-V on Tuesday. Accompanied by their canine, Winston, the couple attended to Los Angeles Firemen’s Reduction Affiliation in Pasadena, the place they have been gifted the car.

“We perceive that it is a troublesome time, and we need to lend a serving to hand,” a Useful Honda consultant stated shortly earlier than presenting the brand new automotive to the couple. The gesture introduced Monica to tears and caught John without warning.

“Oh! Superior! Wow, I don’t know what to say. Thanks. It is a silver lining on this. Thanks a lot,” John stated.

He joked that firefighters “can’t preserve a secret” and stated he was impressed his staff was capable of suppress this one so he and his spouse may very well be shocked.

“Very first thing I believed was, ‘Good rims. These are good rims,’” John stated.

“We’re so grateful as a result of we have been right down to just one automotive so it’s been troublesome with my husband and I attempting to maneuver with one automotive,” Monica stated.

After the trauma they skilled and the loss they’re nonetheless recovering from, the couple stated they’re extraordinarily grateful for the beneficiant gesture.

“We would have liked this,” John stated. “I wanted a win, so that is superior. I’m going to take a victory lap after this with the spouse … That is in all probability the most effective birthday current I’ve ever gotten.”

“He’s my hero,” Monica stated of her husband. “He tried very exhausting to save lots of our dwelling and stayed till absolutely the finish. I didn’t know if he was going to make it or not.”