Nursing Home Fire Death Toll Now 8
Another victim of Friday's fire at the Quaker Hills Nursing Home in Sydney died Monday night bringing the death toll to eight.
The latest victim was Doris Beck, 96. She died at the Blacktown Hospital Intensive Care Unit due to complications from injuries. Ceasar Galea, 86, also died Monday morning at Hawkesbury Hospital.
On Sunday, Urbana Alipio, 79, died at Liverpool Hospital. On Saturday, Ella Wood, 97, died at Concord Repatriation General Hospital.
Two died on the day of the fire namely Alma Smith, 73, and Lola Bennett, 86, who succumbed at Royal North Shore Hospital.
There were a total 29 residents at the home when it caught fire and 10 are in critical condition in different hospitals.
Domain Principal Group Residence, which operates the nursing home, said it provided permanent accommodation to all those affected, except those in the hospitals.
Police have detained and charged with multiple murder an employee of the nursing home, registered nurse Roger Kingsley Dean, 35. He was on duty when the fire happened. An investigation of the fire scene to determine the cause is ongoing.
Quakers Hill Anglican Church reverend Geoff Bates claimed that Dean had an identity crisis, according to Herald Sun. NSW Nurses Association general secretary, Brett Holmes, expressed shocked that a member was charged with murder.
Meanwhile, Domain said it had done criminal history checks on all employees, including Dean, and verified their credentials with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in response to an order from NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell to check workers in nursing homes.
The firm also said the nursing home is fully compliant with the accreditation rules of the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.