On 21 January 2021, a fire broke out at an unregistered nursing home in Kharkiv, Ukraine.[1] The fire killed 15 people and injured 11 others.[2] Nine people were rescued and sent to the hospital.[citation needed]

2021 Kharkiv fire
Fire at a retirement home in Kharkiv
Date21 January 2021
LocationKharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine
Coordinates49°59′43″N 36°09′48″E / 49.995160406537394°N 36.16325548929106°E / 49.995160406537394; 36.16325548929106
Deaths15
Non-fatal injuries11

History

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According to Prosecutor General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova, the fire was caused by carelessness with electrical heaters. This prompted the office of the Kharkiv regional prosecutor to begin criminal proceedings due to alleged violations of safety regulations. Electric heaters are considered unsafe in Kharkiv due to the inadequate design of electrical infrastructure in that area.

The house was heavily damaged, with much of the second floor apparently gutted.[3] The fifteen people that died had apparently been trapped on the second floor.

Kharkiv's acting mayor Ihor Terekhov declared 22 January 2021 a day of mourning.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "At least 15 killed, 11 injured in nursing home fire in Ukraine". Reuters. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  2. ^ Kennedy, Rachael (21 January 2021). "Nursing home blaze in Ukraine kills at least 15 people". Euronews. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  3. ^ ""Держава має врегулювати ринок соціальних послуг" — експерт про пожежу у Харкові". Suspilne (in Ukrainian). 21 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Volodymyr Zelenskyy: On January 23, Ukraine will declare a day of mourning over the tragedy in the home for the elderly in Kharkiv". Official website of the President of Ukraine.