Firefighter ‘Critical’ After Burn Surgery

Glendale Firefighter William Jensen remained in critical condition Friday following extensive surgery that left his family, friends and colleagues hopeful he would recover from burns suffered in the Calabasas-Malibu brushfire.

Jensen, who was severely burned on 70% of his body while protecting homes in Corral Canyon on Tuesday, underwent two hours of skin graft surgery and lung evaluation at the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital.

“Doctors are moderately encouraged by the finding that there was less smoke inhalation damage to his lungs than previously thought,” said Larry Weinberg, a burn center spokesman. “We are watching him hour by hour, day by day.”

Weinberg said Jensen, 52, is suffering from acute breathing problems and the early signs of a blood condition that can lead to internal hemorrhaging. The longtime firefighter, who is described by friends and relatives as a big warm mountain of a man with a heart of gold, is being monitored closely and is expected to return to surgery Tuesday, if not before, Weinberg said.

“We remain optimistic, but he has suffered a very grave injury,” he said.

Two other firefighters injured in the blaze Tuesday were also recovering at the burn center as community support continued to pour in through phone calls, letters, food and donations of money and blood.

Hospital administrators said Glendale Firefighter Scott French, 41, of Ventura, was in good condition Friday and Los Angeles Firefighter Ross Torstenbo, 42, was in fair condition. Both are scheduled for surgery Monday.

Administrators said Friday’s surgery on Jensen involved a team of 17 medical professionals, including seven physicians.

Surgeons cut away the dead and burned surface tissue from Jensen’s body and replaced those areas with more than 15,000 square centimeters--about 15 square feet--of cadaver skin, officials said.

Relatives, friends and colleagues continued their 24-hour vigil.

“Your first reaction is to say there’s so much here to deal with--you’re almost discouraged,” said Battalion Chief Dave Starr of the Glendale Fire Department. “We are praying for him.”

Starr was among several well-wishers who said they hoped a combination of Jensen’s own fighting spirit, the hospital care and the loving, unconditional support from relatives, friends and colleagues would help Jensen recover.

“He is doing well at this point in time, although critical,” Starr said. “We have potential for these critical moments for weeks ahead yet. We have to remain strong with the knowledge that it’s one more hour that we’ve been successful.”

Starr said French visited Jensen for about five minutes Thursday.

“It made him feel better to go in and see Bill,” Starr said of French. “It was emotional for him. They were both in the same place and experienced the same threat.”

An investigation is continuing into how the firemen were burned Tuesday. Officials said it appears Jensen and French were manning fire hoses next to a hillside home when the flames suddenly overtook them. Torstenbo was the most seriously injured of four Los Angeles city firefighters caught in their fire engine at the same time.

Glendale Fire Capt. Ron Gulli said Friday that he was fighting the wildfires at the same time, although in a different area from where the men were injured. The toughest part of continuing the fight against the fire after the injuries occurred was not knowing whether his colleagues would be all right, he said.

Gulli said one emotional moment occurred when a woman in Malibu who wanted to show her appreciation offered a touching poem honoring fallen firefighters to them while they were regrouping at Malibu City Hall.

A separate, comforting experience was seeing French in good spirits at the burn center, videotaping a surprise segment for a retirement dinner at which he was scheduled to serve as master of ceremonies.

“His attitude and his personality is very uplifting,” Gulli said.

Many friends and relatives said they were overwhelmed by the ongoing show of community support for the firefighters.

A blood drive at Glendale Fire Department headquarters Friday attracted about 50 donors by early evening and at least that many more were expected before the drive ended, American Red Cross officials said.

The donations will help replenish blood used for the injured firefighters and will be available to hospitals throughout Southern California, Red Cross officials said.

Ana Huezo, 18, and her sister, Claudia, 23, both of Los Angeles, said they gave blood to show their appreciation for the firefighters’ willingness to put their lives on the line to save someone else’s property.

“It’s nothing compared to what they do,” Ana Huezo said after donating a pint of blood. “These guys are exposing their lives to save ours.”