Fire Guts Nursing Home in Indonesia, 16 Elderly Residents Killed

Fire Guts Nursing Home in Indonesia, 16 Elderly Residents Killed

At least 16 people were killed and three others injured after a devastating fire engulfed a nursing home for elderly residents in northern Indonesia, authorities have confirmed.

The blaze broke out at Damai Retirement Home in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi Province, on Sunday night at about 8:30 p.m. local time, prompting an emergency response from the Manado Fire and Rescue Service.

According to the agency’s chief, Jimmy Rotinsulu, many of the victims were found inside their rooms and are believed to have been elderly residents resting when the fire erupted.

“The victims were mostly inside their rooms. They were likely already asleep when the fire started,” Rotinsulu told news agency AFP.

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The fire was brought under control approximately one hour later, around 9:30 p.m., while police investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

Authorities said efforts are underway to identify the deceased, urging relatives to contact the hospital where the bodies were taken. Local officials disclosed that several of the victims were burned beyond recognition, complicating the identification process.

Eyewitness Steven Mokodompit, a resident living close to the facility, said the fire appeared to have started in the nursing home’s kitchen. He arrived at the scene around 8:00 p.m., where flames were already spreading.

“During the rescue, we heard an explosion and screams for help. In just five minutes, the fire had engulfed the building,” Mokodompit told local outlet Detikcom.

He said he and other residents improvised rescue efforts by stacking tables and ladders to help evacuate elderly occupants through the back of the building.

The tragedy once again highlights concerns over fire safety in Indonesia, where deadly blazes are frequent. Earlier this month, 22 people were killed in a fire at a seven-storey office building in Jakarta, raising renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations nationwide.

Fire Guts Nursing Home in Indonesia, 16 Elderly Residents Killed

BBC