A fire broke out on the night of Sept. 11 at a care home in Pitrufquen in Chile's southern Araucania region, killing 16 elderly residents, international media reported. The blaze was extinguished early on Sept. 12.

Twenty-six residents were in the facility at the time, of whom 10 were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital. The building was single-storey.

The prosecutor leading the case said the cause of the fire had not been established at this stage. Electrical installations and the use of heating equipment are among the lines of inquiry.

The home is reported to have been cited previously for failing to observe regulations. Whether it met licensing requirements and staffing standards is expected to form part of the investigation.

Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast ordered a review of the condition of care homes nationwide, with fire equipment and evacuation routes named as priority items.

Fires at facilities housing elderly residents tend to cause heavier casualties because evacuation takes longer. Reduced staffing at night is also cited as a risk factor.

Countries have tightened sprinkler requirements and fire compartment standards. Smaller facilities, however, are sometimes granted deferrals because of installation costs.