Sapporo, Japan—Four elderly residents died in a fire at a nursing home early today. The blaze broke out in a wing housing patients with mobility issues, making evacuation difficult. Staff managed to save most of those inside, but the four victims were trapped by smoke and heat.

Firefighters arrived within minutes of the alarm, finding flames visible through the windows. They used water cannons to bring the intensity down while interior teams searched the rooms. Smoke had already filled the corridors, complicating the rescue mission.

The facility houses over fifty people, most of whom require round-the-clock care. The local police chief confirmed that the four deceased were in their eighties and nineties. They were pronounced dead upon arrival at the municipal hospital.

Preliminary reports point to a short circuit in an electrical heating unit as the likely cause. The fire moved quickly through the lightweight interior partitions, turning the hallways into chimneys. Smoke detectors functioned, but the speed of the combustion gave residents little time to act.

Staff members are currently being questioned about the evacuation procedures. Some witnesses reported that the sheer volume of smoke made it nearly impossible to navigate the halls. Investigations will focus on whether the fire suppression systems were adequate for the building's age.

The city government has launched an immediate inspection of all similar facilities in the region. There is a sense of urgency to ensure that basic safety standards are being met, especially in older structures. Families are gathered at the entrance, waiting for news about their loved ones.

The facility will remain closed while forensics experts analyze the site. The charred remains of the affected wing serve as a reminder of the vulnerability of the elderly in such environments. No one else was critically injured, though several staff members were treated for smoke inhalation.

The investigation into the cause is ongoing. Official statements are expected once the site is declared safe for entry. There is no current timeline for the cleanup or potential reopening of the care home.