By J.A. Dunn

CLEARWATER — As a 1,200 degree ball of fire engulfed him, firefighter/paramedic Steve Colbert was not only thinking of saving his life, but also the life of an injured firefighter.

What began as a routine call to Clearwater Fire and Rescue Engine 45 that a 12-story condominium on Dove Cove was on fire at 6 a.m. June 28, 2002, quickly escalated into a dire situation that would leave three firefighters injured, including Colbert.

As he scanned the building on the fifth floor to make sure all the tenets were evacuated, Colbert, 37, was caught in an enclosed hall when a flashover, a rolling ball of fire upward of 1,200 degrees, came rushing toward him. His face mask, his firefighter gear, even his flashlight, began to melt.

"It felt like I was in there 35 minutes, but it was really like five or six minutes," Colbert said. "I don’t remember much because the adrenaline was pumping. I know nothing was visible, but I was able to drag the firefighter who was hurt to safety. I got us out on a balcony. It was then that my oxygen ran out.

"I think God sent angels to take care of us."

Colbert says the parishioners of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg became angels on earth for him and his wife, Jeannine, during his recuperation process.

Colbert received extensive injuries to his hands and arms when he took off his gloves to remove his helmet and break the glass to alert fellow firefighters of his location. He had reconstructive surgery June 19 to remove scar tissue from his right thumb in hopes it would give him more movement and less pain.

Not long before the fire the Colberts had joined St. Luke’s. They believed they had made the right decision as the Rev. Rick Neal, now the Jacksonville District’s superintendent, and other church members wrapped the couple in their love.

"I’ve never seen such a church be involved with people," said Jeannine, who grew up in Trinity United Methodist Church in Sarasota. "They did whatever we needed. They went grocery shopping; they provided meals the first five weeks after Steve got home from the hospital. Since Steve was burned on his hands and arms, I couldn’t leave him, and they were there, day in and day out. It’s just awesome. Rev. Neal was always there."

It’s hard for Neal to forget the "frightening day."

"He put his own life at risk to save someone else," Neal said. "I used to be a volunteer firefighter so I know what it takes to do that job. It was fearsome and fulfilling at the same time to be there at the hospital. We prayed a lot and waited a lot. It was really a joy to see the community rally around this family. It’s an honor to know Steve."

Colbert, the son of a volunteer firefighter, was raised Catholic and converted to United Methodism after marrying Jeannine about four years ago.

"This is what being a member of the body of Christ is all about," Colbert said. "The church just has such a warm, loving atmosphere."

Colbert returned to duty in December 2002, and since then has received numerous accolades, including Firefighter of the Year from the city of Clearwater, Firefighter of the Year from Pinellas County, Medal of Honor for Gallantry from the city of Clearwater, which had never been given to a Clearwater firefighter, and several other awards.

Colbert, however, doesn’t see himself as a hero, just a man who was doing the job he loves.