A FESTIVE Diwali gathering turned tragic for a mother of three when her traditional outfit caught fire, leaving her with third-degree burns.

Revati Priya, 30, a businesswoman, was celebrating the festival of lights with loved ones, when the incident happened unexpectedly while they were enjoying the evening indoors.

“We were having so much fun until that point. I had put 30 clay lamps inside my home because it was windy outside. I had placed the clay lamps under the counter to prevent anyone getting harmed by the flames,” she said.

Priya said disaster struck when her skirt caught alight.

“I was standing over the counter and speaking to my partner when my skirt started smoking. My partner saw it and initially thought it was the steam from his food until he realised I was on fire.

“I looked down and saw that my skirt was on fire. I did not think at the moment and started running towards the kitchen for help. I tripped and my whole outfit suddenly caught alight.

I did not realise my outfit was so flammable,” she said.

Priya was wearing a Gopi outfit made from synthetic materials like polyester or nylon, which are flammable.

In a desperate attempt to save her, Priya’s friends and partner used whatever they could to try and extinguish the flames.

“There were cold drink bottles on the table. My friends threw it on me in a bid to put out the flames. I removed my clothes but I was in so much pain and my skin was burning.

“My entire right side was burnt. I  sustained burns to my hand, arm, leg, thigh, lower back and hair. Thankfully, my face was saved,” she added.

Priya said she immediately went under a cold shower to relieve the pain, only to realise the extent of her injuries.

“I was in immense pain so I decided to go under a cold shower, only to see my skin peel off. That was when we phoned the paramedics, who came and treated my burns,” she said.

A doctor later confirmed that Priya had suffered first to third degree burns.

“I am just grateful that my three children were asleep when the incident happened. They would have been traumatised for life if they saw my outfit go up in flames.”

She said despite her trauma she was grateful for the support of her loved ones during her recovery who helped take care of her and her children.

Priya said the healing process is ongoing but challenging.

“My dressings need to be changed every single day to prevent infection. I also require assistance just to get out of bed, bath and eat. Even the simplest things have become difficult.  I have been on pain medication but there have been moments when the physical and emotional pain felt unbearable.

“However, the pain is easing and my burns are healing. Some of the burns are worse than others. Only when I am completely healed will I know if I require a skin graft,” she said.

Priya said the experience had left her traumatised and more cautious about fire safety.

“I will never light a clay lamp again or ever have one in my home again. This was a very traumatic experience.”

She encouraged others to be mindful of safety while celebrating with fire.

“I learnt an important lesson from this incident. We never think this could happen to us, until it does. When my skirt caught alight, I thought I  was going to die. I was also scared for my children. Life is so unpredictable, but we always need to be aware of our surroundings and be safe,” she said.

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