Live
Audio Only
In Chiguayante, over 500 kilometers south of Santiago, two rooms in the Santa Marta nursing home caught on fire early Tuesday, killing 10 elderly women. Only three women were rescued from the two burning dormitories, local media reported.
RELATED:
Guatemala: Commemorations Continue for 41 Girls Killed in Fire
The fire in the "Santa Marta Rest Home" in the Concepcion Comune took place when 42 residents were present at the time and killed 10 elderly women. One of the 3 survivors of the rooms blazed was hospitalized. Officials highlighted that luckily the flames did not spread to the other areas of the house.
The Chilean Presidency Press body reported that President Piñera has visited the ruins of Santa Marta nursing house shortly after the incident with other government officials.
AHORA - El Pdte @sebastianpinera visita el hogar de Adultos Mayores Santa Marta que sufrió incendio esta madrugada en Chiguayante junto al intendente @jorge_ulloa y el alcalde José Antonio Rivas pic.twitter.com/jsiPqKg8OY
— Prensa Presidencia de Chile (@presidencia_cl) August 14, 2018
Investigations are underway to determine the causes of the fire. Local media reported that a wood-burning stove was found inside the nursing home.
However, Prosecutor Michelangelo Bianchi, who is in charge of the investigation, said witnesses reported an explosion before the fire, indicating a possible short circuit. According to authorities, the staff checked the rooms shortly before the incident happened, and no irregularities were found.
Newsletter
