A Navy father is hospitalized with severe burns after rescuing his toddler from a house fire that destroyed their Mount Hope home on Carlos Street, according to his wife, who spoke exclusively with NBC7. The fire displaced the young family and left the father, Ricky, with second- and third-degree burns over more than half his body. He remains on a ventilator as he recovers. Their 2-year-old son is expected to fully recover. Shaliah Dehnz said she, her husband and their son were inside the duplex when flames and thick black smoke quickly filled the home, making it difficult to escape. “When we went downstairs, we couldn’t see anything,” Dehnz said. “I didn’t see where he was going because I thought we were together,” Dehnz said. “I was calling for him,” Dehnz said. All three made it out, but Dehnz said her husband shielded their child from the flames. “He did shield our baby. Most of the burns he did sustain were on his back and his arms,” Dehnz said. “He’s the type of man that would do anything for me and my son,” Dehnz said. The fire destroyed the family’s home and most of their belongings. “This was supposed to be our home. We fell in love with it where we pictured we would raise our son,” Dehnz said. Dehnz said her husband’s injuries are severe, and his recovery timeline remains uncertain. “I miss my husband. I just want him to get better,” Dehnz said. “He’s the love of my life. He’s my husband,” Dehnz said. Their toddler suffered burns to his face, hands and stomach but is expected to recover. Dehnz said the experience has been difficult for him. “He does miss his dad,” Dehnz said. “The whole change of environment is stressing him out and his burns,” Dehnz said. Both Dehnz and her husband are Navy engineers, and their families live outside the area, leaving her to manage the challenges of recovery and rebuilding largely on her own. “I just want to find a home, find a safe space for my son and place for my husband to heal up. I’m trying to do my best,” Dehnz said. Despite the severity of his injuries, Dehnz said her husband’s prognosis is good, though it is unclear how long he will remain hospitalized. By most accounts, the fire may have started after an electric bike battery overheated, but the official cause remains under investigation. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less