Firefighter Hurt in Blaze Gets 2nd Skin Graft

The firefighter burned last week in a Simi Valley factory blaze was listed in stable condition Tuesday after undergoing the second of two skin-graft surgeries, hospital and county Fire Department officials said.

Injuries to Brian Sullivan, 22, were more serious than first reported, county Fire Chief James E. Sewell told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. Sullivan is being treated at the burn center at Sherman Oaks Hospital and Health Center.

“The skin grafting [last week] was found not to be as successful as it was thought to have been,” Sewell said. “He is undergoing further skin grafts today.”

A hospital spokesman said late Tuesday that Sullivan was out of surgery and “doing fine.” The firefighter may still need additional surgery before being released later this month, the spokesman said.

Sullivan suffered burns to his hands and shoulders last Wednesday during a three-alarm blaze in an industrial section of Simi Valley.

After 20 minutes of fighting the fire, he was pulled away by colleagues so they could tend to his wounds. Sullivan insisted throughout the sidewalk first aid that he was fine.

Assistant Fire Chief Richard Perry said that the thick uniforms sometimes prevent firefighters from knowing when they have been burned.