Phony Firefighters Running a Scam

Los Angeles police were searching Saturday for three men reported to be posing as fire officials as they went door-to-door asking for donations to help the Glendale firefighter who was badly burned in last week’s Calabasas-Malibu blaze.

A spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department said the men did not represent the department.

“Never in the Los Angeles Fire Department’s 110-year history have uniformed firefighters gone door-to-door soliciting donations,” said spokesman Brian Humphrey.

At least some people gave the men money, he said.

An alert went out to the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley and Devonshire stations, said Officer Eduardo Funes, a spokesman for the department.

“It’s probably someone taking advantage of the well-publicized tragedy,” Funes said.

Meanwhile, the Glendale firefighter, Bill Jensen, remained in critical condition Saturday at the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital.

Scott French, another injured Glendale firefighter who underwent surgery Thursday, was in good condition Saturday, as was Los Angeles Firefighter Ross Torstenbo. A fourth injured firefighter was released from the burn center last week.

Humphrey said legitimate donations for the injured firefighters can be made through the Glendale Fire Department.