The World Today
A 97-year-old man was burned to death after a fire destroyed his home this Sunday in the Buceo neighborhood. The fire occurred on General Thiebaut, between Presidente Oribe and Manuel Gómez streets, and a neighbor alerted 911 when she saw smoke coming from the house. Firefighters from the Cordón fire station worked at the scene, and the entire structure was damaged. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
According to the on-site survey, the man lived alone, and the home had a corrugated iron interior and a lightweight roof, conditions that may have facilitated the fire's spread. Neighbors described the flames spreading rapidly, and the response logistics were complicated by the speed of the fire. Rescue teams participated in the operation, attempting to control the fire's spread and identify possible debris that would help clarify its origin. Audiovisual material was provided to Subrayado, documenting the intervention.
A neighbor, Adriana, said smoke entered her home and the rapidity with which the fire spread left them in a state of shock. She said there were attempts to unclog the toilet and use a hose, but nerves and the intensity of the fire made community action difficult. She also mentioned that the victim had hearing and mobility issues, factors that could have prevented a timely evacuation. The commotion erupted in the neighborhood , where many agreed the scene was deeply shocking.
Investigations at the scene continued to determine the location of the fire's start and whether there were electrical faults or other causes. Local authorities and firefighters reported that they will continue gathering evidence and testimony to determine the exact circumstances. Meanwhile, the home was rendered unusable due to structural damage. The community awaits the results of the investigation and calls for measures to prevent similar incidents in nursing homes.
