Braden Kapchinsky suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns in March 22 fire
A close friend of Braden Kapchinsky says his condition was downgraded overnight at a Vancouver hospital where he's receiving treatment for severe burns.
Paul Gates says Kapchinksy, a construction worker, was inside a three-storey townhouse in Kelowna when it caught fire on Wednesday.
"They're going to send him for an ultra-sound to see how deep the burns are, but they said it's second to third degree all over his body.Obviously his family is in shambles," he says.
Gates says he was devastated when he heard the news, and immediately flew to be at his friend's side.
"I've known him since I was probably 13 years-old – 17 years – we grew up together. He's my best friend," he says.
Kapchinsky, who's 34, has a wife and two young boys, aged 12 and 8, and Gates says the family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with bills and travel costs.
Gates says Kapchinsky will likely remain in intensive care for at least month followed by months of recovery.
