LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A man who survived an apartment fire in Jeffersonville is still in the hospital two weeks after it happened as his family tries to make ends meet. 

The fire happened at Eastlawn Apartment, near 8th Street and Crestview Court, on Dec. 16 around 2 p.m. At least seven people, including a firefighter, were taken to the hospital and at least eight families were displaced by the fire.

Anthony Gardner survived the fire by jumping from the second floor.

"I'm very thankful that everybody was alive and nobody seriously got hurt," Gardner said.

Gardner and his partner Angel Henderhan woke up that afternoon to a room full of smoke.

"It was pitch black. We couldn't see anything at all," Henderhan said.

The couple's only option was to escape from a second floor window.

"I was just begging for somebody to catch our son," Henderhan said.

Gardner jumped out of the window after Henderhan, and he broke his leg when he landed. He shattered his fibula and ankle, and amputation was considered.

"I thought it was just a break too, I didn't know it was that bad until I woke up later on," Gardner said. "They had they had a harvest of vein in my right leg to save my left foot. And I have the scars are somewhat healing but I have a lot of slow ones to one on and a skin infection that I'm fighting."

Two weeks later, Gardner remains at UofL Health unable to work or provide for his family. 

"I'm thankful that I didn't get hurt worse or anything because it is our sole provider for our family," Henderhan said. "I've got a four-year-old, mother and a brother. We have no transportation. I have to step in and take care of our family. So we're just trying to figure out what to do how to go from here."

The family is appreciative for the support they've received. They're son was an Angel Tree recipient. 

"Thankfully our community, you know, reached out helped us and my baby was able to have a decent Christmas," Henderhan said. "And we're grateful for that. Now we're just trying to pick up the pieces from here."

Henderhan sprain her ankle.

Gardner has about one more week left in the hospital before he is released to 3-weeks of physical therapy.

Henderhan said they never heard a smoke detector go off. She said a bystander saw what was happening and helped her son out of the window. Henderhan called that person an "angel." She thanks them for all they did for her family and hopes to know their name one day soon.

If you'd like to donate to his GoFund Me link, click here.

Deputy Chief Michael McCutcheon with the Jeffersonville Fire Department told WDRB: "Due to the holidays, it has been difficult for the Jeffersonville Fire Marshal’s office to make contact with the insurance company and there investigating agency. On JFD’s side there hasn’t been any additional information or findings come forth that would change our position at this time. With that said the fire remains undetermined and still under investigation, awaiting communication with the insurance company."

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