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Calif. firefighter awakens after on-duty heart attack

Firefighter Frank Ryan is still in critical condition but able to speak to relatives and friends

San Jose Mercury News

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose firefighter who suffered a heart attack while battling the cathedral fire is awake and talking to friends and relatives, a fire spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Frank Ryan is still listed in critical condition at Regional Medical Center, but at around 8:30 a.m., he began showing “significant improvement,” Capt. Mary Gutierrez said.

Ryan, 41, is awakened, recognized friends and family and began talking to them.

“It’s incredible,” Gutierrez said.

Ryan, a 15-year veteran of the fire department, suffered a heart attack while helping fight a three-alarm fire Thursday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in downtown.

Family and friends have been keeping a constant vigil at the hospital.

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