Deadly Nursing Home Fire in Northern China Claims 20 Lives

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At least 20 people have died following a devastating fire that engulfed a nursing home in Longhua County, Chengde City, in northern China’s Hebei Province. The blaze broke out around 10:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday and quickly swept through the facility, which primarily housed elderly residents.

Emergency services responded swiftly, evacuating the remaining residents and transporting several others to nearby hospitals with serious injuries. Firefighters continued efforts to extinguish the fire into the early hours of Wednesday, while expert teams from both Hebei Province and Chengde City arrived on site to assist with rescue operations and the investigation.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials confirmed that all surviving residents have been moved to hospitals for further observation and treatment.

Local communities have expressed deep sorrow in the aftermath of the tragedy. Social media users across the region shared their condolences, with comments such as “Oh my god,” “May peace be with you,” and calls for stronger fire safety awareness in nursing homes.

A statement from officials noted that, as of 3:00 a.m. on April 9, the confirmed death toll stood at 20. Expert teams were on the scene providing support and overseeing the aftermath of the incident.

The fire has prompted renewed focus on fire safety in care facilities globally. Past incidents serve as stark reminders of the vulnerability of such institutions. In 2018, a care home in Rugeley, Staffordshire, narrowly avoided tragedy when sunlight reflecting off a mirror ignited nearby flammable materials. Quick action from a cleaner who smelled smoke ensured all residents were evacuated safely.

In 2023, a separate care home fire in Zaragoza, Spain, resulted in ten deaths and several injuries. The facility, which specialized in dementia and mental health care, housed more than 80 residents at the time of the incident.