Tarzana Man Dies From Fire Injuries
A Tarzana man, who was hospitalized with third-degree burns over 98% of his body after a flash fire at a cosmetics company, has died.
Robert Anderson, 35, suffered cardiac arrest and respiratory failure at the Grossman Burn Center of the Sherman Oaks Hospital and Health Center, spokesman Larry Weinberg said. He died about 1 p.m. Friday.
“It’s not uncommon with burns this massive that the patient’s body will fight and fight and fight, but it cannot survive the work it has to do,” Weinberg said.
Anderson was employed at Sher-Mar Cosmetics at 8755 Remmet Ave. in Canoga Park.
Last Monday, Anderson was transferring the solvent toluene from one 55-gallon drum to another using a 1-gallon container. A flash fire that was sparked burned the clothing off Anderson’s body, a fire official said.
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