In the early hours of Friday, a horrifying fire engulfed a room at the Casa dei Coniugi retirement home in Milan, Italy, claiming the lives of six individuals and leaving 81 others hospitalized. The swift response of firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading further, but the toll remains heavy, according to Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala.
Rescuers faced a daunting task as they painstakingly evacuated residents “almost one by one by the arm,” said Mayor Sala during a press briefing. The fire is believed to have originated in a single room, where two women had been residing. Tragically, both lost their lives in the inferno. The remaining fatalities were a result of smoke inhalation, which proved equally lethal. Reports from the Ansa news agency indicate that five of the six victims were women.
The timely alarm raised by a staff member enabled firefighters to swiftly contain the flames, preventing widespread damage. Although the walls of adjacent rooms were blackened by smoke, the fire did not extend beyond its origin on the first floor. The smoke, however, infiltrated the upper level, creating an atmosphere equally as lethal as the flames themselves, according to Mayor Sala.
Among the individuals rushed to the hospital, all suffered from smoke poisoning, with 14 individuals currently in serious condition. The Casa dei Coniugi retirement home, situated in the southern district of Corvetto, housed a total of 167 residents requiring various levels of care. While the facility is owned by the city authority, it is operated by a management group overseeing numerous residences throughout the country.
The tragic incident has cast a somber cloud over Milan, with Mayor Sala expressing his condolences to the families of the victims. The investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway, as authorities seek to determine the circumstances that led to this devastating event. Questions regarding fire safety measures and evacuation protocols within the retirement home are likely to be scrutinized in the coming days.
As the city mourns the loss of six lives and grapples with the aftermath of this tragic incident, the focus now shifts to supporting the survivors, both physically and emotionally. The local community has rallied together, offering solace and assistance to those affected. It is a sobering reminder of the importance of safety measures and preparedness in all establishments, particularly those housing vulnerable populations.
Milan will undoubtedly come together to honor the memories of the deceased, and ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. The scars of this devastating fire will take time to heal, but the resilience and compassion of the community will undoubtedly prevail.