Horrible fire at nursing home in Uruguay, 10 dead

International Desk: 10 people were killed in a fire at a nursing home for the elderly in Uruguay.

The fire incident happened on Sunday local time. Only the caretaker of the nursing home survived in this incident. AFP reports on local authorities. According to reports, eight women and two men died in the fire. 

Eight women and two men died in the fire in the 6-room nursing home located in the eastern city of Trenta e Tres in the South American country.  When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the main entrance to the nursing home closed. After entering the building, they found fire in the living room. At that time, smoke spread throughout the building. 

A 20-year-old caretaker at the nursing home was able to escape safely through a garage, a statement said. As soon as the fire broke out in the building, seven people lost their lives due to smoke inhalation. Besides, three others were admitted to the hospital in serious condition and died while undergoing treatment.

Uruguay's Minister of Public Health, Carina Rando, said the fire was being treated as an accident. However, he said that the incident will be investigated. Rando said the building was in very good condition. However, in recent times there have been minor observations. 10 days ago there was a fire in another nursing home in Mello city.

Where the elderly and mentally ill lived. A 77-year-old man and a 72-year-old woman died in the hospital in the 40-member nursing home.  60 percent of Uruguay's 3.4 million people are 65 years old. This number is increasing day by day.