Ooty : A watchman of a private engineering college near here was found dead and another in an unconscious condition in their cabin today, after inhaling smoke from fire lit to beat the biting cold.

A policemen on morning rounds, who used to sign a time book kept in the cabin, received no response after he tapped the door for long. After informing his higher ups, he broke open the door only to find both the watchmen lying unconscious, police said.

With the help of college staff, the two were shifted to the Hospital here, where Shanmugam (47) was declared brought dead, while Krishnan (56), being treated, was said to be critical. A case has been registered and investigations are on.