- Tragic fire at Milan retirement facility claims six lives
- Rescues hampered by dense smoke and residents’ inability to evacuate on their own
- Investigation underway to determine the cause of the fire
Nicola Miceli, superintendent of the local fire department, explains that rescuing the injured was “especially difficult” due to the dense smoke that obscured the view.
A fire at a retirement facility in Milan has resulted in six deaths and about eighty injuries.
Milan mayor Giuseppe Sala said two victims burned to death in their rooms and four died of smoke inhalation.
Nicola Miceli, the superintendent of the local fire department, stated that rescuing the injured was “particularly complicated” due to the heavy smoke that obscured visibility and the fact that many residents were unable to stand on their own.
Three of the injured are in critical condition, according to Luca Cari, spokesman for the fire department.
He added that fifteen others have severe but non-life-threatening injuries.
The fire started in a room on the first floor, and although it was quickly extinguished and did not spread to the rest of the building, it generated a great deal of toxic fumes.
Lucia saw residents “gasping for air” at their windows and covering their faces with cloths to avoid the odours.
“Those who could walk were walked out, and I believe those who could not be carried out in their bed sheets,” she explained.
Numerous evacuees utilized wheelchairs.
“It could have been [even] worse. “Despite this, six fatalities is a significant number,” Mr. Sala said.
The fire has been extinguished and its origin is being investigated.
Home of the Spouses is a 167-person residential facility located in the southeast Corvetto neighborhood.
According to Italian media, the fire began at approximately midnight. UK time.
