Firefighter Released From Burn Center

A firefighter burned from the waist down with scalding water during a routine drill was released Thursday from the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital, fire officials said.

Firefighter Juan Carrillo, 40, of Fillmore, who suffered first- and second-degree burns on both legs, underwent surgery earlier this week at Grossman. Doctors removed dead tissue and cleaned his wounds, Ventura County Fire Department spokesman Dave Traub said.

“Now he’s at home and sedated, but he’s still in a lot of pain,” Traub said.

To honor Carrillo, Ventura County firefighters Saturday will host a benefit, “Running the Miles to Bring Some Smiles.”

Firefighter runners will visit all county fire stations in the Conejo Valley and collect money donated by fellow firefighters before embarking on a 30-mile run.

Fire Engineer Terry Lamb, 35, of Moorpark, also was burned in the same Simi Valley accident Jan. 23. Lamb and Carrillo were conducting a pumping and hose test when the hose came loose from the coupling--the part of the hose that connects to a firetruck.

Water being heated by flowing at high pressure through the hose splattered on the firefighters. Lamb also was burned on both legs 6 to 10 inches above the boot line. He was released from Grossman on Saturday. The cause of why the coupling failed is still under investigation, Traub said.