Credited from: AA
A disastrous fire at the Werdha Damai retirement home in Manado, Indonesia, resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals and left three others injured. The blaze broke out late on Sunday and rapidly engulfed the facility where approximately 32 elderly residents lived, according to reports from Al Jazeera and India Times.
Firefighters responded quickly but reported that the flames spread rapidly, forcing personnel to focus on controlling the fire to protect neighboring areas. This allowed authorities to evacuate some residents safely, as described by South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have originated in the kitchen area of the nursing home, with police continuing their inquiry into the exact cause. Witnesses noted the urgency of the situation as the fire blazed, forcing nearby residents to assist in the evacuation of vulnerable individuals, as detailed by BBC and Anadolu Agency.