Firefighters Treated at LA Burn Center

Sherman Oaks (myFOXla.com) - Three Ventura County firefighters burned in the Santa Barbara fire were being treated on Thursday at the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital, where their conditions were upgraded from serious to good.

The firefighters were injured Wednesday, when they had to seek shelter inside a burning building when their fire engine was overrun by the flames.

They were identified as Capt. Brian Bulger, 57, of Station 21 in Ojai; Capt. Ron Topolinski, 51, of Station 57 in Somis; and firefighter Robert Lopez, 44, of Station 54 in Camarillo.

Dr. Peter Grossman said Bulger had suffered "limited" burns and mainly was being treated for smoke inhalation. He could be discharged from the hospital Friday, Grossman said.

Topolinski suffered burns to about 10 percent of his body, including his face and hands, and will undergo surgery on Friday, Grossman said.

Lopez suffered burns to about 15 percent of his body, including his face, ears, arms and back, and will also undergo surgery Friday, a procedure that likely will include skin grafts, Grossman said.

None of the men suffered injuries that would be considered life- threatening, and all should be able to return to work, Grossman said.

The fire, which began on Tuesday afternoon, has scorched about 1,300 acres, consumed dozens of homes and led to the evacuations of thousands of people.