Seven people are being treated at UNC Hospital after suffering burns from Tuesday's roof collapse at ConAgra.

Hospital officials said four people are dealing with critical or life-threatening burns, two are in fair condition, and one was upgraded to good condition late Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Bruce Cairns, North Carolina Burn Center's Director, said when the patients were admitted on Tuesday, it didn't take long to evaluate them.

"There are burns on the front, burns on the back, hands, legs and feet, burns on the face and head," he said. "It's clear that folks were in different locations and the heat and the fire affected them in different ways"

He said treating burn victims can be a complicated and lengthy process, regardless of severity.

"It can constrict down like a girdle, so we have to open up that burn so the blood can go to the various extremities," Dr. Cairns said.

He said the patients are being treated with IV fluids and medication. He said those in fair or good condition have at least several weeks of recovery. He said those in critical condition face a tougher path.  

"Do we have patients with these kinds of injuries survive? Yes, quite frequently," he said. "Does that mean everyone who has an injury like this always survives? No."

The hospital is also taking care of patients' families, using social workers and counselors to help them cope.

"As we help the families, we are going to be helping our patients because it creates an atmosphere of, 'we're all in this together, we're all gonna get better,'" he said.

Dr. Cairns said the goal is to keep all the patients locally at UNC because they have family in the area. However, he said if they need to move patients to another hospital to get the best possible care, they will do that.