25 feared burnt alive as fire rips through Latvia disabled home

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2007

RIGA (AFP) — Rescuers pulled charred bodies from the smoking rubble of a home for the disabled in western Latvia, where at least 25 people were feared burnt alive Friday in the worst fire in the country's history.

Water sprayed on to the burning home turned to ice in the freezing temperatures.

One severely mentally handicapped man survived after hiding under a bed as flames spread around him, but others had to be dragged to safety, many in wheelchairs, rescuers said.

And a woman who ran through the flames to escape the inferno was in critical condition in hospital with burns to more than half her body.

Firefighters have pulled what they think are 12 badly charred bodies from the three-storey home in Alsunga, in western Latvia, Inga Vetere, assistant...