Suspected cause of fire at Hillcrest retirement village that killed elderly man revealed

A mobility scooter is suspected to have caused a horrendous retirement village blaze that left an 83-year-old man dead and a 81-year old woman in hospital, early reports suggest.

An 83-year-old man has died and an 81-year-old woman has been rushed to hospital after a fire at a retirement village at Hillcrest on Monday night.

The elderly man died at the scene while the woman managed to escape the inferno with minor injuries but was taken to the RAH for treatment.

Aveo, which operates Crestview Retirement Village, said an investigation was under way after the fire in one of the resident’s units.

“However early reports from first responders indicate the fire was caused by a mobility scooter battery that was charging overnight,” said Aveo’s chief executive officer, Tony Randello.

Mr Randello said the company’s “thoughts are with their family at this very sad time” and thanked emergency services for their swift response.

Two out of the three units at the Fosters Rd complex erupted in flames just after 10pm on Monday night.

An 83-year-old man was killed and an 81-year-old woman was rushed to hospital. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Damage is estimated to be approximately $250,000. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Damage caused by the deadly fire on Fosters Rd, Hillcrest. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

Extensive damage was caused to the property and the next door unit.

It took 24 MFS firefighters and five appliances an hour to put out the fire and prevent further damage to a third unit.

Mr Randello said Aveo was “supporting the residents of those villas to make alternative accommodation arrangements”. He said Aveo’s community team also were providing counselling and support to residents, and the families of this impacted.

Fire investigators have estimated the structural damage to be about $250,000.

SAPOL were at the scene to help evacuate occupants of the village community.

Neighbours described flames erupting from the unit as the shock of the elderly man’s death sunk in on Tuesday morning.

Fellow village resident Kay Hawkesworth said she was woken by loud banging on her door with orders to evacuate her unit.

“I came outside and the fire and flames were shocking, I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“Everybody was out of their units and worried sick about what was going on.

“We knew a lady was taken out and we knew somebody was inside.

“Sadly I found out this morning the gentleman passed away.”

Ms Hawkesworth said she didn’t fear the fire would spread to her unit but was concerned about her cat.

Another neighbour Lorraine Fransson said it was a tragedy.

She was evacuated from her unit and described hearing lots of yelling to ensure other residents were safe.

The unit where the elderly couple lived for about eight years was still smouldering Tuesday morning.