STORY: A fire at a retirement home in the city of Manado on Indonesia's on Sulawesi island has killed 16 people, a local police official was quoted as saying on Monday (December 29) by state news agency Antara.

The fire at the Werdha Damai retirement home was finally extinguished late on Sunday (December 28) and authorities are still investigating its cause, police official Alamsyah P. Hasibuan said.

Footage by news channel Metro TV showed the fire blazing through the home, turning the night sky orange, with residents appearing to help one elderly person escape from the burning building.

Jimmy Rotinsulu, chief of Manado's fire department, told Metro TV that the home's residents, most of whom were elderly, were trapped inside the building, adding that another three people suffered burns.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: MANADO, NORTH SULAWESI PROVINCE, INDONESIA (AIRED DECEMBER 29, 2025) (KOMPAS TV - No use Indonesia) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. VARIOUS OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AT SCENE OF FIRE, ORANGE BODY BAGS ON GROUND

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) CHIEF OF MANADO FIRE DEPARTMENT, JIMMY ROTINSULU, SAYING:

"Currently, 16 people have been found dead, with three suffering from burns."

3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) CHIEF OF MANADO FIRE DEPARTMENT, JIMMY ROTINSULU, SAYING:

"Identification was done again earlier to check whether there are still victims inside, but the situation (is still uncertain) and will be checked again."

5. VARIOUS OF POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS AT SCENE