SHERMAN OAKS : 2 Hurt Battling Altadena Blaze Undergo Surgery
Two firefighters underwent surgery Tuesday for injuries they suffered when a fast-moving brush fire overran their crew in Altadena last week.
The mother of Hector Gabriel Larios, 19, of Chino Hills said doctors told her it could take a year before he fully recovers. Larios suffered third-degree burns over 42% of his body and was in critical condition.
“One of the first things I asked him was whether he still wanted to be a firefighter. He said, ‘Yes, because this is my job; this is my life,’ ” Gloria Larios said at Sherman Oaks Community Hospital Burn Center.
Doctors removed burned skin from Larios and firefighter Christopher Barth, 25, of Seal Beach, and applied new skin from cadavers. Barth, who suffers from third-degree burns over 20% of his body, was in serious condition. Both have lung damage.
Two county firefighters died in the blaze, the first killed in the line of duty in 25 years. Funerals for Christopher Herman, 25, of Downey, and Arthur Ruezga, 33, of Valinda will be held Thursday at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier.
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