Hundreds of community members gathered outside Bridgeport Hospital Sunday afternoon cheering at the release of New Haven Firefighter Lt. Samod “Nuke” Rankins, who was listed in critical condition nearly two weeks ago after fighting a home fire.
Fellow firefighters, first responders, family and, friends comprising the crowd, sang “Happy Birthday,” to the firefighter as he walked through the human-tunnel of supporters. Rankins, teary-eyed, embraced and shook hands with various firefighters and friends as he slowly made his way through the outside entrance with the help of a walker.
“[He’s doing] much better,” Leon Bowman, one of Rankins’ cousins said.