Sulawesi inferno - 16 dead, 3 injured after huge blaze destroys elderly care facility

"A deadly fire tore through a Werdha Damai nursing home for elderly people in the city of Manado on Sulawesi Island on Sunday morning, killing 16 and injuring three people. Footage filmed on Monday shows the aftermath of the blaze, with the elderly care facility reduced to rubble and debris scattered across the site. "Last night around 8:00 pm, people were relaxing here when a fire broke out near the kitchen," recalled a fire witness. "Within just five minutes, the fire had spread throughout the building. So, those who arrived could only evacuate those who were still safe in the back." At least 16 people were killed in the flames, and three sustained injuries. However, 15 bodies were 'completely charred' and cannot be identified. "The 16 deceased were placed in body bags and taken out by firefighters along with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI)," the witness said, adding: "Only one body was not charred, a male. He died from a lack of oxygen."  Indonesian National Police announced plans to identify the bodies that are currently at Manado's Bhayangkara Hospital through DNA testing. "We are currently working to collect the victims' DNA. We will compare this DNA with the DNA that we mentioned earlier from family members, namely parents, children, and siblings," announced head of North Sulawesi Provincial Police health services, Police Superintendent Tasrif. Authorities launched an investigation into the incident, with early reports suggesting the fire may have started in the kitchen."