A devastating fire ripped through a nursing home on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, claiming the lives of at least sixteen elderly residents and leaving three others with burn injuries, local officials confirmed on Monday.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The emergency call reached the city's fire and rescue agency at 8:31 p.m. on Sunday evening. The blaze was reported at a facility for the elderly located in Manado, the provincial capital of North Sulawesi. Jimmy Rotinsulu, the chief of the local fire department, provided the grim details to the media.
"There were 16 deaths; three (people) had burn injuries," Jimmy Rotinsulu stated. He explained that many of the victims were discovered inside their private rooms. It is believed that most residents were already resting for the evening when the fire suddenly erupted, which likely hindered their escape.
Rescue Efforts and Aftermath
Despite the rapid spread of the flames, emergency responders managed to successfully evacuate twelve individuals from the burning building. All twelve were reported to be unharmed and were subsequently transferred to a nearby hospital for observation and care.
Local television footage broadcast by Metro TV captured the horrifying scene, showing flames completely engulfing the structure. In a display of community solidarity, local residents were seen assisting emergency personnel in evacuating one elderly person from the danger zone.
A Recurring National Tragedy
This tragic event highlights a persistent and deadly issue across Indonesia. The Southeast Asian nation, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, has witnessed several fatal fires in recent times. These incidents often expose gaps in safety regulations and emergency preparedness.
Just this month, a massive fire tore through a seven-storey office building in Jakarta, Indonesia's bustling capital, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people. Furthermore, in 2023, an explosion at a nickel-processing plant in the eastern part of the country killed a minimum of 12 individuals. The frequency of such disasters raises urgent questions about fire safety standards and enforcement, particularly in vulnerable institutions like nursing homes.
