Agencies | Santiago:
At least 16 elderly residents were killed after a fire broke out at a nursing home in Pitrufquén, in Chile’s Araucanía region, late Friday, local authorities said.
Twenty-six elderly people were inside the single-storey care facility when the blaze erupted. Ten residents survived and were taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Firefighters battled intense flames that engulfed the building overnight. On Saturday, emergency crews continued removing debris and collapsed corrugated-metal roofing from the site, while police secured the area.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Local prosecutor Jorge Granada said investigators were examining the scene and questioning individuals to establish how the blaze started and determine whether any other factors were involved.
Authorities said the privately operated facility had previously faced enforcement action for failing to comply with regulations.
Pitrufquén Mayor Jacqueline Romero said the municipality had requested an inspection in February after concerns were raised over the facility’s compliance with regulations.
“In February, the municipality had sent a letter specifically calling for an inspection because the facility was not in compliance with regulations,” Romero told local media.
Regional health official José Bravo said the nursing home had a history of regulatory problems and had been subject to administrative proceedings and fines since 2019.
Municipal health and public safety teams, firefighters and police were involved in the emergency response and were providing support to relatives of the victims, Romero said.
Chile President José Antonio Kast called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
In a post on X, Kast said he had ordered urgent measures to assess conditions at nursing homes across the country and identify changes needed to prevent a similar tragedy.
The fire has renewed scrutiny of safety standards and regulatory oversight at residential care facilities for older people in Chile.
The incident comes less than a week after another fire broke out at Hotel Alto Nevados, where competitors in the FIS Masters Alpine Skiing World Cup were staying during a preseason training camp. No connection between the two incidents has been established.
