A homeless man from Bridgeport who was badly burned in a fire back in March thanked first responders Wednesday for saving his life.

Javier Berrios says he was building a small fire in a vacant building to stay warm, but the fire got out of control and nearly killed him. Berrios went into a coma and remained in the hospital for more than a month with third-degree burns all over his body.

Berrios was also fined for trespassing in the vacant building.

Berrios says recovering in the hospital also helped him overcome his drug addiction. He says he is now off drugs and living in a homeless shelter, where he does volunteer work. He will soon move into his own apartment and be self-sufficient for the first time in years.

Assistant Chief Harold Clarke from the Bridgeport Fire Department says the firefighters were really appreciative of Berrios visiting and sharing his story.