Emergency services have descended on a nursing home in Longhua County, northern China, following a devastating fire, which broke out during late Tuesday evening
At least 20 people have died as a result of a devastating fire at a nursing home.
The blaze tore through the property in Longhua County, northern China, overnight, killing several residents. Emergency services have now descended on the care home, which mostly caters for elderly people. Other residents have been rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Remaining residents have been evacuated while firefighters tackle the blaze, understood to have broken out at around 10pm (local time) on Tuesday. An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway. No further details, including the identities of the deceased, have been disclosed by authorities in Longhua County at this time.
Writing on social media, locals across the region expressed their sadness and shock. One posted: “Oh my god.” Another shared: “May peace be with you.” A third stated: “Nursing homes should strengthen fire awareness.”
A report issued by the state-run press agency in China, Xinhua News Agecy, read: “A fire broke out in a nursing home in Longhua County, Chengde City, Hebei Province… According to preliminary statistics, as of 3:00 am on the 9th (Wednesday April 9), the fire caused a total of 20 deaths.
“At present, other elderly people in the nursing home have been transferred to nearby hospitals for further observation and treatment. Expert groups at the two levels of Hebei Province and Chengde City have gone to the site of the accident to guide rescue and aftermath work, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.”
Among further social media posts, under Xinhua’s statement, one resident said: “It’s so scary.” Another wrote: “Oh my god” alongside three “praying hands” emojis as thoughts turned to the building, its residents and staff.
Residents at a care home in Rugeley, Staffordshire, had a lucky escape when sunlight reflected off the surface of a mirror, producing enough heat to ignite flammable materials, in February 2018. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue service issued a stark warning about the dangers of mirrors near windows at the time but, luckily, a cleaner smelt smoke and all residents were evacuated safely on that occasion.
But last year, ten people died after a care home in Zaragoza, Spain, caught fire. More than 80 people were inside when the blaze broke out and, in addition to the fatalities, several people were taken to hospital with serious injuries. The care home, which opened in 2008, specialises in dementia and mental health. Staff members there include doctors and nurses as well as occupational therapists and social workers.
