Fire in Old Age Home in Nigel,Gauteng South Africa

[chefbob09]

Johannesburg - Eighteen people died and three were hospitalised after a fire at an old age home in Nigel in Gauteng, officials said on Monday.

"It was very horrific, very tragic," said Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha.

A total of 84 people were rescued in the fire that broke out at the Pieter Wessels old age home around 21:00 on Sunday.

Of those, one person was taken to hospital in a critical condition with 40% burn wounds, while two others had sustained serious injuries.

The remaining 81 people were treated on the scene.

"Many had suffered from smoke inhalation," said Botha.

Some of those rescued were taken to other old age homes.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Tommy Tomlinson said churches in Nigel had taken in some of the people.

He said forensic investigators were already on the scene to try to find the cause of the fire.

"It is quite chaotic," said Tomlinson.

After the blaze was extinguished, firemen searched the building and found the bodies of 17 people.

An eighteenth person died of a suspected heart attack after the fire


Story behind this is that these were either diabled,old or mentally ill patients. There was no working phone in the home and the group that was hurt and killed were locked in the section of the building where the fire was. The only way these guys got help was by a single security guard on duty who phonned for emergency services who told him they were to busy to respond. With the help of locals from the area they managed to get bolt cutters to open the security gate. There was only 13 hand held fire extinguishers, no smoke alarms, no hoses for hydrants or any of the basic's that should of been there. R.I.P the old guys who died, really sad.and hows this for logic, there is no phone at this old age home but yet our president, Jacob the CUNT Zuma can have four wives,close to twenty children that cost the tax payer close to R5 000 000(about 450 000 pound) but yet somehow a government run old age home doesnt even have a phone? its fucked up

[Jere]

hell of a way to go!