Haugesund Care Home Fire Claims One Life, Inquiry Underway
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A tragic fire at a care home in Udland, Haugesund, Norway, on Saturday resulted in the death of a resident. Emergency services responded to the incident at 1:20 a.m., successfully extinguishing the blaze by 2:05 a.m., but not before a life was lost. the fire, contained to a single apartment, prompted the evacuation of fifteen individuals who were treated for smoke inhalation.
Evacuation and Initial Response
Fifteen individuals were evacuated from the care home due to smoke inhalation and were unable to return to their residences Saturday night. Authorities initially faced uncertainty regarding potential occupants within the affected apartment. However, smoke divers from the fire service discovered a deceased individual within the unit were the fire originated. The swift response of emergency personnel prevented the fire from spreading beyond the single apartment.
Victim Identified, Autopsy Planned
A senior official confirmed Saturday afternoon that the next of kin had been informed. While positive identification is pending, authorities believe the victim to be the resident of the apartment, a woman in her 60s. An autopsy is scheduled to take place as early as this weekend to formally confirm the identity and determine the cause of death. The woman’s identity will be released following the completion of the autopsy and notification of all family members.
Investigation into Fire’s Origin
As of Saturday morning, the cause of the fire remains unknown. Investigators are meticulously examining the scene to determine the origin and cause of the blaze. The fire appears to have been contained to a single apartment within the care home, limiting the extent of the damage. A police cordon remains in place in the Udland area as investigators work to determine the origin of the fire.
[image of police cordon in Udland after the fire. Photo: Morten Asbjørnsen]
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
