An elderly 94-year-old man died, while three others remain in serious condition after a new fire erupted at a care home for seniors in Uruguay, reported on Thursday in the southern department of Canelones. Details from the Interior Ministry indicate that the exact cause of the blaze was not disclosed, but the fire began in the living area of the residence where nine elderly residents were being cared for. Among them, an 80-year-old woman and two residents aged 82 were admitted to the National Burn Center for treatment. Several other individuals sustained minor injuries, and an 85-year-old woman along with two men, aged 80 and 54, received care at the scene for mild smoke inhalation and were discharged. Two residents remained unharmed. According to the ministry, the residents had already managed to exit the building with help from staff and neighbors by the time firefighters arrived (Interior Ministry, Uruguay).
This incident follows a deadly fire on July 7 in the city of Treinta y Tres, where ten residents at a senior home lost their lives. In that earlier event, firefighters rescued and evacuated ten residents, eight women and two men, who received on-site medical attention. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, seven residents died due to smoke inhalation, while the remaining three were transported to the hospital in critical condition and subsequently died. The Interior Ministry highlighted the seriousness of these incidents, underscoring ongoing concerns about fire safety in elder-care facilities (Interior Ministry, Uruguay).
The recent fires have highlighted vulnerabilities in elderly care environments and the need for rigorous safety protocols, regular drills, and robust fire suppression systems to protect residents who may have limited mobility or heightened risk in emergencies. Authorities continue to review building compliance, fire safety measures, and staff training to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Families of residents and advocacy groups have called for transparent investigations and stronger regulatory oversight to ensure rapid response and heightened protections for vulnerable seniors in care facilities (Interior Ministry, Uruguay).