A devastating fire engulfed a retirement facility in Manado, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, on Sunday evening, resulting in one of the deadliest nursing home tragedies in recent memory. The inferno broke out approximately at 8 p.m. local time while elderly residents were asleep, creating a rapidly escalating emergency situation.
According to official statements from North Sulawesi police spokesperson Alamsyah Hasibuan, the catastrophe claimed sixteen lives with fifteen victims perishing from severe burns and one remaining physically intact. Emergency response teams faced significant challenges in containing the blaze, with firefighting crews deploying six trucks that required over two hours to fully extinguish the flames after nearby residents first alerted authorities.
The human toll extended beyond the fatalities, with fifteen survivors receiving urgent medical treatment at nearby hospitals in Manado City. Courageous neighbors initially attempted rescue operations before professional responders arrived, managing to save several occupants from the smoke-filled single-story structure.
Television footage captured the horrifying scene of intense flames illuminating the night sky with an ominous orange glow while thick smoke blanketed the area. The aftermath revealed rows of body bags arranged outside the charred facility as forensic teams began the meticulous identification process at the police hospital with family assistance.
While preliminary police reports suggested an electrical malfunction as the potential ignition source, investigators have maintained that the official cause remains undetermined and subject to ongoing examination. The tragedy has raised urgent questions about fire safety protocols in Indonesia’s elderly care facilities, prompting calls for enhanced emergency preparedness standards nationwide.