Fire tragedy! Several dead and injured in retirement home fire
Belgrade (Serbia) - A tragedy has shaken Serbia, with grief and horror reigning throughout the country: At least eight people have died in a fire at a nursing home in the center of the Balkan state.
In addition, seven people were injured, according to several media reports citing information from the authorities.
One of them did not suffer any serious injuries, but three others were taken to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning - and are still in a serious condition. Further details about the victims have not yet been released.
Early Monday morning, a devastating fire broke out in a private facility for people in need of care in Veliki Borak, a suburban settlement around 50 kilometers southwest of the metropolis of Belgrade.
At around 3.32 a.m., firefighters and rescue workers set off with a large contingent in the direction of the retirement home, which is located away from busy roads.
Arson suspected! Eight people die in nursing home fire not far from the Serbian capital Belgrade
Arriving at the scene of the accident, the helpers who rushed to the scene were met with a scene of horror as the fire was already fully developed.
Flames were leaping out of the windows, rapidly making their way through the structure of the house - and costing the lives of eight residents.
According to initial information, 30 people were in the building at the time of the fire and 13 were evacuated.
"This is a great tragedy, but it could have been much greater," Luka Causic, head of the emergency department of the Serbian Ministry of the Interior, told the public broadcaster Radio-Televizija Srbije (RTS).
The public prosecutor's office began its investigation early this morning - and has now expressed a terrible suspicion. It has since been announced that arson was the cause. According to this, a resident had deliberately started the fire.