Steve Morris is receiving treatment at Wythenshawe hopsital's special burns unit after trying to save a trapped pensioner from a house fire in Bolton in June.

The 39-year-old regained consciousness nearly four weeks ago and has undergone several operations and skin grafts, and is due to undergo further surgery today (Friday August 15).

He is now talking and his family have kept an internet blog with the help of colleague Carl Haslam from Bolton Fire Service's Green Watch.
Partner Pauline Phipps is by his bedside and has received hundreds of texts and messages of support.

The latest website entry from yesterday (Thursday August 14) said: "Steve was conscious but weak. Pauline has been informed by the Burns Team that Steve is going into the operating theatre tomorrow to have further skin grafting to the rear of both is legs and the base of his buttocks.

"He is still being fed via a tube through his nose and into his stomach although he is now also being fed small amounts of semi-solid foods.

"Steve is due to having his various medications reduced is experiencing withdrawal symptoms which cause him to become restless and agitated. This is part of the process of recovery but it is still difficult to
deal with for the family seeing and listening to Steve."

The colleague added: "Pauline told Steve today about the family visiting Bolton Wanderers football club along with firefighters from Green Watch Bolton and Farnworth, and meeting the first team players. He smiled and said "It's alright for some".

"Whilst Pauline was visiting Steve today a nurse asked Pauline to come out of Steve's room.

"Pauline went into the corridor and the nurse introduced her to an elderly lady and an elderly man. The couple spoke to Pauline about their son who had been rescued a while ago from a fire by Manchester firefighters but had suffered severe burns like Steve."

Police are continuing their investigation into the suspected arson in July in which 71-year-old pensioner Hameeda Begum and her four-year-old granddaughter died.

Mr Morris has been a firefighter for 12 years and has been based at Bolton Central fire station since December 2004.

For more on this story, pick up a copy of Wednesday's Guardian.