By Linda Taaffe

The Los Altos woman burned during a fast-moving fire that destroyed her Borderhill Road home last week remained in critical condition Friday at the Valley Medical Center burn unit in San Jose, with severe burns covering 89 percent of her body, according to a spokeswoman from the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

Laura Foley, 47, was home alone when a fire broke out in her cottage at around 1 p.m., Sept. 29. Apparently disoriented by the fire, Foley ran into the flames in an attempt to escape from the house, neighbors told fire investigators. A Life Flight helicopter transported Foley to Valley Medical.

Foley is expected to remain in the hospital for four months to undergo multiple skin grafts. She remained unconscious last week, according to a friend.

Fire investigators combed the scene for two consecutive days following the two-alarm blaze. Officials said they do not believe the fire was suspicious, the spokeswoman said. A report of the fire’s cause and origin had not yet been released.

As a longtime yoga instructor, Foley has developed a loyal following of students in Los Altos over the past decade. She most recently began teaching at Yoga of Los Altos.

Colleagues from Yoga of Los Altos called Foley a huge inspiration, a person who changed people’s lives.

News of Foley’s condition created an outpouring from followers who wanted to return the favor, said friend Andi Bruno.

This prompted Yoga of Los Altos to start the Laura Foley Fund to aid Foley’s family with her recovery. Contributions may be made to the Laura Foley Fund, c/o Bank of the West, 176 Main St., Los Altos 94022. For more information, call 776-6229.