Florida Man Injured While Helping Pregnant Woman Escape Apartment Fire

RIVERSIDE, California — September 26, 2026 — A California man was seriously injured after helping a pregnant woman escape an apartment fire before an explosion sent him through a second-story window.

Brian Jackson, 48, was visiting a friend at an apartment building on 5th Street in Riverside on September 16 when he noticed the fire spreading rapidly through the building.

Jackson told the Los Angeles Times that he began checking rooms to make sure people were getting out. He then saw a pregnant woman trying to escape through a second-story window.

As flames spread through the apartment, Jackson tried to stop her from jumping. A passerby eventually helped lower the woman from the window using a ladder.

Jackson remained inside as the situation deteriorated. He said an explosion suddenly occurred inside the apartment, throwing him out of the second-floor window and onto the ground.

Fire Chief Greg White told the Los Angeles Times that firefighters arriving at the scene found two people hanging from an apartment window and three people on the ground.

Jackson suffered fractured legs and serious injuries to his right foot. His family said doctors were concerned that he could eventually require an amputation.

He is being treated at Riverside Community Hospital, where his family is also trying to manage the financial impact of his injuries. His stepdaughter, Tehani Gutierrez, said the family does not have insurance covering Jackson’s inability to work.

A fundraising campaign was launched to help cover medical treatment, rehabilitation and other expenses. The campaign had reached about half of its $50,000 goal when the Los Angeles Times reported on the situation.

The pregnant woman Jackson helped has not been publicly identified. Jackson said he believes she survived the incident safely.

The cause of the apartment fire remains under investigation, according to Riverside Fire Chief Greg White.

Jackson’s story has drawn attention because he was injured while attempting to help another person escape a rapidly spreading residential fire.

Sources:
Los Angeles Times – Man helped save pregnant woman from fire