A devastating fire broke out late Sunday night at the Werdha Damai retirement home in Manado, a city on Sulawesi island in North Sulawesi province, Indonesia, killing at least 16 elderly residents and injuring others, local officials confirmed.
The blaze erupted at around 8:31 p.m. local time (12:31 GMT) while many residents were asleep in their rooms in the single‑story care facility, according to North Sulawesi police spokesperson Alamsyah Hasibuan. Fifteen of the victims were burned to death, while one body remained intact, officials said.
Firefighters with six fire trucks struggled for more than two hours to bring the blaze under control after nearby residents alerted emergency services, local authorities said. Footage from local media showed intense flames and thick smoke filling the night sky as teams battled the fire and neighbours worked to rescue residents trapped inside.
In addition to the fatalities, three people were seriously injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment. Officials said that about 12 residents were evacuated unharmed and transferred to medical facilities for observation.
Police have launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. While an initial report suggested an electrical fault may have triggered the blaze, authorities have not yet confirmed this and say the inquiry is ongoing.
The retirement home housed roughly 30 elderly residents, many of whom were asleep and less able to escape the rapidly spreading flames, local officials noted. Neighbours and passersby rushed to help evacuate some residents before firefighters arrived, but the suddenness of the fire and the time of night complicated rescue efforts.
This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety in care facilities, particularly where vulnerable populations such as the elderly may face higher risks during emergencies. Indonesian authorities and community leaders have expressed condolences to the families of the victims and pledged to review safety protocols to prevent similar disasters in the future.
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