Buna volunteer firefighter burned during explosion returns home to family

BUNA-By: Leslie RangelA Buna volunteer firefighter who suffered second and third degree burns to more than 30 percent of his body is back home today.We first brought you the story in January, 52-year-old James Ray of Buna had poured diesel fuel on a bonfire.He didn't know there were small traces of gasoline left in the can that he says caused an explosion.Ray tells us what he remembers that New Year's Eve night, and what he calls a miraculous recovery. Take a good look at James Ray.He seems like any other grandfather, spending time with his family.But, take a look at his hands, just some of the burns he suffered following an explosion just one month ago.They told my wife that when I first went in there, I'd be in anywhere from 6-8 weeks, 22 days later I walked out, Ray says. He was flown to the hospital after a bonfire explosion New Year's Eve night.We'd had a little bonfire and I went to pour some what I thought was diesel and come to find out it had originally had some gas in it. And the gas flames had went up, through the nozzle, into the gas vapors and blew the can up on me, Ray remembers. He suffered second and third degree burns to thirty percent of his body.Burns that went from his face all the way to just above his knees. I remember pouring it over the fire and just a bright flash, it threw me back, Ray says. He says he had given up hope.I was burning so bad, I laid down and asked God to take my life because I couldn't take the pain anymore, Ray remembers. Today, he looks back and says it's a miracle.I'm going through the healing process, I itch a lot, as far as pain, I hadn't really been in any pain everything is going good, Ray said. And three surgeries, skin graphs, and a lot of pain later, he has a message. Know what's in your can, because it wasn't my can, it was someone else's can which it's now fault of there's I've done the same things they've done, you know put diesel and gas in cans, Ray says. A can that changed life for James Ray.The big deal is know what's in your can so this doesn't happen to you because I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, Ray says.Sunday night, Ray celebrated his 28th wedding anniversary.The Ray family has one more benefit planned at the Honky Tonk in Silsbee on February 22.It starts at 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.Fore more information, check out their Facebook Page, Pray for James.