Here is the article that was published today in the Santa Barbara News-Press:
A tragic tale : Relative of burn victims Lance and Carla Hoffman describes harrowing moments of Tea Fire
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November 18, 2008 7:07 AM
Montecito couple Lance and Carla Hoffman were in critical condition at UC Irvine Burn Center after being overcome by flames in the early stages of the Tea Fire.
Mr. Hoffman, a security guard at Paseo Nuevo, and his wife, an assistant manager at Metro Entertainment, were both sedated and being assisted in their breathing Monday, according to relatives.
The 29-year-olds suffered severe burns the evening of Nov. 13 while fleeing their home in the 200 block of East Mountain Drive, not far from where the 1,940-acre blaze is thought to have started. People close to the couple tell a harrowing tale of their running down a twisting dirt road in hopes of getting to safety, only to fall victim to a flash-fire.
Then, in the face of severe injuries, Mr. Hoffman apparently found the strength to drive himself and his wife to Santa Barbara City Fire Station 7 on Stanwood Drive, some three miles away.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department investigators said Monday the person or people responsible for the blaze may have entered the area of origin -- on East Mountain Drive between the historic Piranhurst Tea House and Cold Springs Trailhead -- the night of Nov. 12 or the morning of Nov. 13.
It's not known whether the fire was accidental or intentional, but authorities are urging anyone with information on vehicles or people that may have been in the area to call an anonymous tip line at 681-4171.
Mr. Hoffman suffered second- and third-degree burns to his head, face, arms, knees and feet, according to his grandfather, James Mills, 82. The man's face was extremely swollen, Mr. Mills added, and doctors initially were concerned that Mr. Hoffman's eyes and lungs had been scorched.
That ended up not being the case.
His wife suffered primarily second-degree -- and some third-degree -- burns to her arms, hands, legs and feet, Mr. Mills said.
The Hoffmans, who have been married for about a year, were transported by ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Thursday night before being airlifted to the burn center in Orange County.
Mr. Mills, who spent 14 years as a firefighter in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, and also was a pharmacist in Santa Barbara, told the News-Press he was not prepared for the sight of his injured grandson.
"I've never seen anyone look as bad as Lance did," he said. "God, I couldn't take it."
Fire officials on Monday still did not have the complete story of what befell the Hoffmans.
"We have secondhand reports from family members," said Capt. Eli Iskow, Santa Barbara County Fire Department spokesman. "There is probably more to the story."
Before they can find out the rest, however, they must wait for the couple's condition to improve.
"Right now they are severely burned and we are in full support mode," Capt. Iskow said. "I have kids that age, so I sympathize with the family."
Lance and Carla grew up in Santa Barbara County. He is a graduate of Santa Ynez High School and, at 6-foot-5, has a big presence, said his grandfather.
Mrs. Hoffman's family has lived in Santa Barbara for many generations.
The two met at Whittier College and have been together about 10 years, Mr. Mills said.
Doctors at UC Irvine are hopeful that the couple will recover, and Mr. Mills said that Mr. Hoffman's mom, Linda, had told him the hospital was really on top of things.
"The kids could not be at a better place than they are right now," he said.
However, he described the last few days as very trying.
"To look at him in that condition, it's tough."
e-mail: apacheco@newspress.com
