A North Richland Hills firefighter has a long road to recovery after he was badly burned when a roof collapsed during a structure fire, union officials said.

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — A North Richland Hills firefighter is recovering at Parkland Hospital after he was severely burned when a roof collapsed onto him while he battled a structure fire, union officials said. 

The incident occurred on Monday, Dec. 29, according to a press release from North Richland Hills Fire Fighters Local 3885. 

While responding to a structure fire, Josh Hurlburt was injured when a roof collapsed, the release states. His fellow firefighters were able to quickly remove him from the structure, the union said. 

Hurlburt was taken by an ambulance to Parkland Hospital with very severe burns to his neck and shins, the release states. He also suffered numerous superficial burns to his wrist, back, and flank, officials said. He is expected to receive a skin graft this week before spending a week in the burn ICU, the union said. 

The firefighter is awake, stable, and remains in good spirits, the release states. 

“While his recovery will be long and challenging, he has already experienced an overwhelming outpouring of support from his family, his church, the fire department, the city of North Richland Hills, and his community,” the release states. 

Hurlburt is a husband and a father of five children, officials said. To support his family, the union is accepting donations through Jan. 10, the release states. 

The union thanked other area fire departments for their help in responding the the two-alarm fire that injured Hurlburt. Officials did not immediately provide any additional information about the incident. WFAA has reached out for more information.Â