Conditions better for Atherton fire victim Conditions better for Atherton fire victim (March 02, 2005)

Conditions are improving for smoke-inhalation victim Cecile Henschel, 79, of Atherton, said spokeswoman Joy Alexiou of the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

Ms. Henschel was in critical condition for several weeks after a December 24 fire in her home, but she is now in fair condition, meaning that her vital signs are stable and that indications are favorable, said Ms. Alexiou.

Ms. Henschel suffered smoke inhalation after attempting to rescue her husband, Julian Pichel, from a bedroom fire on Christmas Eve. Mr. Pichel, 80, died of burns suffered when his clothing caught fire while he was attempting to light a wood-burning stove.

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