Gavin Conatser dreamed of becoming an Army Ranger.
Now the Kennewick 21-year-old is in the intensive care unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle fighting to recover from severe burns and lung damage.
An early morning house fire last week left him with second- and third-degree burns before his girlfriend, Jenae Gallegos, could pull him to safety.
The recovery from the burns could take four to six weeks and his lungs may take much longer or may never recover at all, his sister, Kyleigh Conatser, told the Tri-City Herald this week.
Gallegos and his family are asking for help with medical bills and living expenses as he faces an uncertain future.
They have organized a GoFundMe campaign (bit.ly/ConatserFundraiser) for donations.
“The fire consumed all of Gavin’s and Jenae’s personal belongings. Their entire life gone in minutes,” says the GoFundMe description. “Gavin has a lengthy recovery ahead — physically and mentally.”
Dec. 2 fire
Gavin Conatser was sleeping on Dec. 2 when a fire broke out on the main floor of the Quincy Street home that he shares with Gallegos. She wasn’t home when he woke up to smoke and flames.
He managed to make it through most of the house before the thick smoke overcame him just a few feet from the front door.
Gallegos arrived home to discover the house on fire and their landlady, who lived in the daylight basement, outside. Her boyfriend was nowhere to be seen.
She raced up to the door and forced it open, and could see Gavin. She grabbed him and, with the help of her landlord, they pulled him to safety.
Kennewick Fire Chief Chad Michael credited Gallegos’ quick action for giving her boyfriend a chance to live.
An ambulance rushed him to a local hospital and then he was flown to the burn unit at Harborview.
Michael said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Road to recovery
Before the fire, Gavin Conatser was considering enlisting in the U.S. Army with the goal of becoming a Ranger.
He loves to spend time with friends laughing and joking playing games and learning more about military history,” Kyleigh Conatser said. “He loves Hondas and all things fast cars. He is a great mechanic and can talk about cars for hours.”
His recovery will be lengthy.
Burns cover about 20% to 30% of his body including his head, face, neck arms and hands. Even after leaving the hospital, it’s unclear how long treatment will be after his release.
A medical test found his lungs were very damaged from inhaling smoke and, while his condition is stable, he remains critical, according to the GoFundMe.
His family, as well as his girlfriend of eight years, are at the hospital with him.
“Our prayer is that his body responds quickly with no complications and miraculous healing,” the GoFundMe says. “He has been blessed with an amazing team of healthcare professionals on the burn unit. We are so thankful for all of the compassion and support he has and is receiving at Harborview Medical Center.”
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