Roof of Yasuragi-no-Sato、a facility for elderly people in Nagasaki Prefecture、burned down in a Jan. 8 fire that killed 7 of its residents.

Nine elderly people -- a man and eight women -- and the head of the Yasuragi-no-Sato facility, who was on night duty, were in the home when the fire broke out, the police said.

Two residents were slightly injured and the facility head escaped unharmed.

The facility is fitted for accommodating people suffering from senile dementia.

Of the nine elderly people, only three could walk unassisted, according to the nursing home.

The facility began operations in September 2003 and has 10 staff members, including part-time employees. It did not have a sprinkler system.

The Japan Times Weekly: Jan. 14, 2006
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