The couple that suffered serious burns while escaping from their Montecito hills home during the Tea Fire are still listed in critical condition seven days after they were injured.

Lance and Carla Hoffman are still on ventilators and remain unconscious at the UC Irvine Regional Burn Center, according to Lance’s grandfather, Jim Mills of Solvang.

“It’s hard for me to feel upbeat,” Mills said. “But his mother is very optimistic and is keeping me going.”

Linda Hoffman, Lance’s mother, has been staying near the couple in Irvine and told Mills that their swelling and temperatures had gone down.

“They made it through seven days, so I hope their staying power holds,” Mills said.

The Tea Fire began in the 700 block of East Mountain Drive the evening of Nov. 13 and it quickly spread down the road to the Hoffman’s rental home in the 200 block. Even though they had been badly burned before reaching their car, the couple drove to the nearby fire station, where they were transported to the hospital.

This week, the couple, both 29, underwent surgery to replace the skin on their hands and arms where the third-degree burns were located.

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Although it was previously reported that Lance’s lungs had not been damaged, Mills explained they had been singed by smoke or fire. But Lance’s eyes are apparently unharmed, even though he received second-degree burns to his head.

Mills mentioned a few minor complications Linda had reported, including Carla’s asthma and a small, infected area on Lance.

Lance, who played water polo at Santa Ynez High School, works as a security guard at Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center in Santa Barbara. Carla, his wife of one year, works at Metro Entertainment, a comic book store in Santa Barbara, and blogs at newsarama.com.

The fire was caused by a group of Santa Barbara City College students who did not fully put out a bonfire. There has been no information released on whether criminal charges will be filed.

Those interested in helping can make a donation to the Lance and Carla Burn Fund at any Santa Barbara Bank and Trust.

November 22, 2008