Authorities say the El Edén residence lacked authorization to operate and had previously faced complaints, sanctions and calls for inspection.
PITRUFQUÉN, Chile — Sixteen people died after a late-night fire swept through a residential care home in southern Chile, where authorities say the facility was operating without required authorization and had previously drawn complaints over its conditions.
The fire broke out around 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the El Edén long-term care residence in Villa Comuy, a rural area in the Pitrufquén municipality of Chile’s La Araucanía region. There were 26 residents at the facility when the fire began. Ten people were evacuated alive, while firefighters later found 16 people dead. Authorities said Saturday that investigators were working to determine both the cause of the blaze and the conditions under which the home had been operating.
Fire companies from Villa Comuy, Pitrufquén and nearby communities responded along with emergency medical crews, police and municipal personnel. The fire consumed the residence as rescuers worked to reach people inside. Local officials said residents, firefighters, neighbors and the worker on duty were involved in the evacuation effort. The facility was largely destroyed, leaving investigators to examine the remains of the building after the flames were brought under control.
Reports differed slightly on the ages of the victims. Several early accounts described all 16 as older adults, while later reporting by El País said 15 of the 16 people who died were older adults. Authorities had not publicly released a complete list of the victims by Saturday as identification work and family notifications continued. The 10 survivors were taken from the property, with some receiving medical attention at the hospital in Pitrufquén.
The cause of the fire had not been determined. Prosecutor Jorge Granada said investigators were examining possible explanations, including an electrical problem or a heating-related accident, but no conclusion had been reached. Carabineros Gen. Miguel Herrera said investigators would also examine whether doors or other exits at the residence had been blocked or otherwise restricted. Those possibilities remain part of the investigation and have not been established as the cause of the deaths.
The investigation is being carried out by specialized Carabineros units, including the police criminal laboratory and OS-9 investigators, under direction from prosecutors and the regional organized crime and homicide team. Authorities are also examining the facility’s staffing and operations. Reports said only one caregiver was working overnight with the 26 residents when the fire began. The owner of El Edén was questioned by prosecutors Saturday, but authorities had not announced any criminal charge or other procedural action against her.
The deadly fire has also focused attention on the facility’s regulatory history. Chilean government officials said Saturday that El Edén did not have authorization to operate as a long-term care residence. Pitrufquén Mayor Jacqueline Romero said the municipality had sent a letter in February asking for an inspection because the residence did not meet required standards and was already subject to a health proceeding. Regional health official José Bravo said the facility had faced administrative action and fines dating to 2019 and described it as a repeat offender.
Officials also said authorities were reviewing two earlier complaints connected to the residence. One involved its sanitary conditions, while another involved an allegation of mistreatment that remained under investigation from 2025. The existence of those complaints does not establish that either was connected to Friday night’s fire. Regional presidential delegate Francisco Ljubetic said authorities were working to determine what oversight actions had been taken and what conditions existed at the home before the disaster.
Six of the survivors were staying Saturday at a temporary shelter established after the fire, while four had gone to stay with family members, according to later reporting. Chile’s National Service for Older Adults was working to place those needing continued residential care in properly authorized facilities. Officials were also assessing the level of care required by survivors, including residents reported to have disabilities or significant support needs.
The municipality of Pitrufquén declared three days of mourning following the deaths. Chilean President José Antonio Kast said the government would review conditions at care homes across the country and examine whether failures in inspection or prevention contributed to the circumstances surrounding El Edén. He also directed regional authorities to support survivors and families while prosecutors continue their investigation.
As of Saturday, investigators had not announced a final cause of the fire or any arrests. Identification of the victims, examination of the destroyed facility and review of its operating history remained underway, while authorities worked to relocate survivors and determine whether regulatory or other failures contributed to the scale of the disaster.