Spyros Spyridis, the hundredth victim of Mati fire

Spyros Spyridis clung to life for 145 days at the Greek capital's Evangelismos Hospital, battling injuries sustained in Mati, the area worst hit by last July's deadly fires in eastern Attica. The 73-year-old's first surgery lasted eight hours, but the skin grafts didn't take. He had more procedures, suffered respiratory problems on several occasions and developed the kind of psychological issues that are so common in patients who spend a long time in intensive care. He lost the battle on December 15, becoming the tragedy's 100th victim.

Kathimerini spoke with his children, Costas and Katerina, to learn more about the man who on July 23 managed to save his two grandchildren from the flames despite a slew of health problems.

Spyridis was born in Athens and grew up in the neighborhood of Ano Petralona before his family settled in the northern suburb of Aghia...