Death toll in eatery fire rises to three

Two victims admitted to KMC died

Two more victims of the Kodungaiyur eatery fire admitted to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital (KMC) have died, dean P. Vasanthamani said. Both men — D. Paranthaman and N. Abimanyu — had serious burns.

This brings the toll in the fire, which occurred late on Saturday night, to three. One fireman had died on the spot.

Twenty persons were injured and admitted to the hospital.

Paranthaman, 67, had been working as a security guard. His family said he was walking to the nearby electricity board office after a power cut when the tragedy struck.

Abimanyu, 40, had been working as a driver and was returning home at the time of the fire, his wife said.

Of the 18 other patients, three have been discharged: all of them had less than 20% burns.

Two patients return

Two patients. who were originally taken to a private hospital, have now been re-admitted to KMC, bringing the total number of patients under treatment at the burns unit to 17, Dr. Vasanthamani said. Fourteen of these patients have burns above 40%.

Boy off ventilator

An 11-year-old kid with 47% burn injuries who had been on ventilator, has now regained consciousness and is off the ventilator, Dr. Vasanthamani said.