The D.C. firefighters injured on April 8th when a roof collapsed at a house fire will likely return to work in a couple of months.

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Three of the five have been released from the hospital. Two remain hospitalized, including one in Washington Hospital Center's Intensive Care Unit.

Charles Ryan was the most significantly injured. In addition to his duties with D.C. Fire and EMS, he is also the chief of the Riverdale, Md. Volunteer Fire Department.

Ryan was burned over 30 percent of his body. He has undergone three operations and is likely to have three more. He remains in the intensive care unit.

Two of the five firefighters are still hospitalized. But all of the injured are in good spirits, are healing and are anxious to get back to work.

Firefighters Mike Deavers and Theodore Douglas were among those who received serious burns. They have been discharged from the hospital along with a third firefighter.

“As we were preparing to get ready to hit the flames -- that's when the back of the house collapsed and all the flames and heat got pushed back on us,” described Douglas.

Sergeant Ramon Hounshell's condition is upgraded and he may be released soon. Both doctors and the fire chief are hopeful about their progress.

“I think it's a tribute to the fact these guys are smart, they're well trained, they think about what they're doing and take care of each other if the unthinkable happens,” said Dr. Marion Jordan
of the Washington Hospital Center

Firefighter Deavers was burned on his arm, but he is anxious to get back to work. “We love what we do. I know I wouldn't want to do anything else,” he said.

The fire broke out at a house in the 800 block of 48th Place NE. The incident is currently under review. Authorities want to figure out if anything went wrong and if so, how it can be prevented from happening in the future. There is no timeline as to how soon the five will be back on the job, but some may be working again as soon as early this summer.