Eight people died and seven were injured in a fire at a nursing home in Veliki Bork, in the Belgrade municipality of Barajevo. Arson is suspected, the relevant minister, Nemanja Starović, told RTS, adding that the home had all the necessary permits.
The fire has been extinguished, and a large number of firefighters and fire engines were involved in extinguishing it. Eight people died, seven were injured, and 13 were evacuated from the blaze.
The Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs, Nemanja Starović, told RTS that, according to initial preliminary data, there are indications that the fire was arson.
He added that the “Ivanović” Nursing Home had a valid license and all the necessary fire safety conditions.
He pointed out that emergency accommodation had been provided for the evacuated residents.
Starović expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
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Luka Čaušić, acting head of the Ministry of Interior’s Emergency Situations Sector, told RTS earlier that there were 30 residents in the home.
Seven injured people, he said, were taken over by emergency services and transported to the Military Medical Academy and the Urgent Care Center.
According to him, after the report this morning at 3:32 a.m., units of the Emergency Situations Sector were immediately sent to the scene and found the fire in a raging phase.
“We are still searching to see if there might be a remaining source that could cause a further fire, and the cause will be determined in the coming hours,” said Čaušić.
He added that the nursing home is located far from busy roads, but the fire crews arrived quickly and the injured were provided with assistance in record time.
“This is a great tragedy, but it could have been much worse,” concluded Čaušić.
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Source: N1, Photo: Printscreen