Burned celebrity chef makes progress

Matt Golinski. Photo / Supplied

Severely burned celebrity chef Matt Golinski has started showing small improvements in his condition and has been experiencing brief periods of semi-consciousness.

He remains in a critical but stable condition, but his father Keith yesterday told Brisbane's Courier-Mail that the Sunshine Coast chef had shown some improvement in his breathing.

Golinski has been in a heavily induced coma since the Boxing Day blaze in his Tewantin home, which claimed the lives of his wife, Rachael, 38, and three daughters Starlia, 10, and 12-year-old twins Sage and Willow.

The flames were so intense it took emergency crews 90 minutes to get the fire under control. Investigators have said the blaze was not suspicious.

The chef, who appears on the TV show Ready, Steady Cook, which has screened here, is expected to remain in hospital for several more months.

He has third-degree burns to more than 40 per cent of his upper body, including his back, arms and scalp.

His father said the continued outpouring of support from the community was much appreciated.

"On behalf of Rachael and Matt's families, we thank each and every person for their love and support," he said.

Funeral arrangements for Rachael Golinski and her daughters will be made once Matt Golinski regains full consciousness.