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18 rescued in nursing home blaze 18 rescued in nursing home blaze
(about 9 hours later)
Firefighters have rescued 18 elderly residents at a nursing home near Portadown, including a 104-year-old. Firefighters have rescued 18 elderly residents, including a 104-year-old, from at a nursing home near Portadown.
The blaze broke out in the kitchen of the Rathowen Nursing Home at about 2245 BST on Thursday.The blaze broke out in the kitchen of the Rathowen Nursing Home at about 2245 BST on Thursday.
Firefighter Walter Johnston said most of the residents were still in bed when they arrived to discover a "fairly extensive" fire.Firefighter Walter Johnston said most of the residents were still in bed when they arrived to discover a "fairly extensive" fire.
"We were able to rescue all the residents and confine the fire to the kitchen area," he said."We were able to rescue all the residents and confine the fire to the kitchen area," he said.
Mr Johnston, group commander of the southern area, said firefighters arrived within 10 minutes of being called.Mr Johnston, group commander of the southern area, said firefighters arrived within 10 minutes of being called.
"If we didn't get there when we did, there was a risk of casualties.""If we didn't get there when we did, there was a risk of casualties."
He said it was caused by an electrical fault.He said it was caused by an electrical fault.