Firefighter Burned in Wildfire Leaves Hospital

Glendale firefighter Scott French, burned two weeks ago in the Calabasas-Malibu brush fire, received a cake-and-cheering send-off Sunday as he was discharged from Sherman Oaks Hospital.

“I was kind of hoping they’d have me looking like Mel Gibson when I got out of here, but it’s not going to happen,” said French, 41, whose scarred cheek was visible under his beard stubble. “I’m just lucky to be alive.”

French was one of four Glendale and Los Angeles firefighters hospitalized Oct. 22 after suffering burns in the fire.

French, whosuffered burns over a quarter of his body and underwent skin graft surgery at the hospital’s Grossman Burn Center, was in good spirits as relatives, colleagues and hospital staff celebrated his discharge with cake and applause.

“Congratulations,” said Los Angeles firefighter Surgey “Guy” Tomlinson, 29, one of the four victims of the brush fire. Tomlinson had been released from the burn center Oct. 24.

Even as French headed home to Ventura with hopes of returning to work by January, two firefighters remained at the hospital.

Some people wore buttons featuring the likeness of Glendale firefighter William Jensen, 52, the most seriously burned of the four. Jensen remained in critical condition Sunday.

Hospital administrators said Los Angeles city firefighter Ross Torstenbo, 42, who was in good condition and had been tentatively scheduled to go home Sunday, instead will remain hospitalized for a few days more.

The past week was especially hectic, with skin graft surgery for both French and Torstenbo on Monday, followed by a visit and service medal presentation by Gov. Pete Wilson on Tuesday.

Special correspondent Scott Steepleton contributed to this story.