Fire exposes illegal elder care home in Argentina; manager arrested

A fire at an unlicensed elder care home in Santa Fe, Argentina, has brought to light dangerous conditions and led to the arrest of the facility's manager. The blaze, which destroyed the makeshift home in the Nuevo Horizonte neighborhood, prompted an urgent rescue operation by firefighters and neighbors.

Seven elderly residents were evacuated from the burning building. While six were found to be unharmed and were placed in a municipal shelter, one individual sustained burns and is currently receiving treatment at the J.B. Iturraspe Hospital. Their condition is not considered life-threatening.

Investigations by provincial authorities have confirmed that the facility, referred to by locals as an "asilo para ancianos" (nursing home), operated without the necessary official authorizations. The Municipality of Santa Fe stated that the location was not registered in any official records, meaning it was not permitted to function as a temporary or permanent care home.

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It is a completely clandestine place for which there is no municipal authorization or registration whatsoever. Upon arrival, we found the manager, who said he was in contact with the owner, but given the urgency, we had to safeguard the residents.

"It is a completely clandestine place for which there is no municipal authorization or registration whatsoever," a municipal official reported. "Upon arrival, we found the manager, who said he was in contact with the owner, but given the urgency, we had to safeguard the residents."

The Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a broad investigation to determine responsibility for the incident. Testimonies from relatives indicate the home had been operating for several years. Municipal officials are now interviewing residents to ascertain their situations and identify family members who can care for them. Authorities are also intensifying controls and urging the public to report any suspicious living arrangements for the elderly.

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Surely, from this case, other situations will start to appear. We will act whenever there are complaints or concrete indications.