Donations Sought to Pay Bills of Fire Victim : Medical: The Topanga carpenter was burned over 75% of his body, trying to rescue a friend from the Calabasas/Malibu fire.
Family and friends of a Topanga carpenter badly burned during a heroic attempt to save a friend the day the Calabasas/Malibu fire broke out established a fund Saturday to help pay for his medical bills.
Ron Mass, 40, was in critical condition Saturday after undergoing surgery at the Sherman Oaks Burn Center, said hospital spokesman Larry Weinberg.
Mass suffered second- and third-degree burns over 75% of his body as he searched for British screenwriter-director Duncan Gibbins in a cottage threatened by flames on the 10-acre ranch where the two were tenants of art dealer Peter Alexander.
In moments, Mass and Gibbins, who had earlier left the cottage but returned to get his cat, were engulfed in smoke and flames.
Gibbins died Wednesday of complications from burns over 95% of his body.
“Ron is a hero, but he lost everything,” Alexander said in a prepared statement. “Many kind people have asked if they can help, and this fund is a way for them to do so.”
Contributions of any size can be sent to The Ron Mass Emergency Fund, General Delivery, Topanga, CA. 90290. Aside from the monetary contributions, the family asked for donations of O-positive blood.
A private memorial service was held Saturday for Gibbins.
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