- Fire broke out at 9 p.m. Tuesday in a nursing home in Chengde, Hebei province
- 20 elderly residents died; 19 others were hospitalized for examination
- Person in charge detained; cause of fire under investigation
A deadly fire swept through a nursing home in Longhua County, Chengde City, northern China, on Tuesday night. The fire killed 20 elderly residents. Firefighters responded quickly, but the blaze, which started around 9 p.m., was not fully extinguished until about 11 p.m. Nineteen other residents were taken to the hospital for observation.
Authorities have since detained the person responsible for the facility. A thorough investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. The incident has sparked renewed concerns over safety standards and emergency preparedness in elder care institutions across China.
China Nursing Home Fire Sparks Safety Concerns After 20 Fatalities
The fire broke out suddenly on Tuesday night while 39 elderly residents were inside the facility. Emergency services responded swiftly, but the blaze proved fatal for more than half of those inside.
Officials confirmed that 20 people had died by early Wednesday morning. The remaining 19 were taken to local hospitals for further medical checks. While no injuries were immediately reported among the hospitalized, the psychological trauma remains a major concern.
Police have detained the facility’s manager as investigations continue into whether negligence or safety violations contributed to the fire. State media has not yet disclosed further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The tragedy has intensified scrutiny on elder care facilities in China. This is particularly true in rural and smaller urban areas where safety regulations may be less stringently enforced. The public is calling for stronger oversight and reforms to prevent such disasters in the future.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerability of elderly care residents. It also highlights the urgent need for stringent fire safety enforcement across care facilities in China.
“The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.” – Mahatma Gandhi
