Fire at Indonesian retirement home kills 16 older residents

Sixteen people have been killed and three left injured after a fire tore through a nursing home for elderly residents in northern Indonesia, local authorities say.

The fire department was alerted to a fire at Damai retirement home in the city of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, on Sunday night at around 20:30 local time (12:30 GMT).

Many victims were found inside their rooms, the city's fire and rescue agency chief Jimmy Rotinsulu told news agency AFP, adding that they were likely elderly residents who were resting for the evening when the fire broke out.

Police are still investigating the cause of the blaze, which was put out at around 21:30 (13:30) on Sunday.Authorities say police are trying to identify the deceased, urging family members of the victims to contact the hospital where the bodies have been taken to.

Many of them were in an "unrecognisable" condition, a local official told online news outlet Detikcom.Steven Mokodompit, who lives near the nursing home, was among those who helped the home's residents evacuate.

Mr Mokodompit told Detikcom that the fire was already burning in the nursing home's kitchen when he arrived there at around 20:00 (12:00 GMT). During the process, they heard an explosion and screams for help.

"In just five minutes, the fire had engulfed the building," he said.

He and several others then stacked tables and ladders to evacuate people from the back of the nursing home.

“The team on the ground has confirmed that the death toll currently is 16,” North Sulawesi police spokesperson Alamsyah Hasibuan said. “15 of them were burned to death, while one victim’s body remains intact.”

There were 15 survivors who were treated at two hospitals in Manado, Hasibuan said.

The bodies of victims were taken to a hospital for identification with the assistance of families, officials said.

Firefighters with six trucks needed more than two hours to extinguish the blaze after nearby residents reported the fire to emergency services, officials said.

Television reports Sunday showed bright flames casting an orange glow and filling the night air with smoke. Body bags were lined up outside the retirement home.

Neighbours reportedly helped rescue several residents of the retirement home.

An initial police report said an electrical fault caused the fire, but officials later said the cause was still under investigation.