Several Killed In Sydney Nursing Home Fire

Up to nine elderly people have been killed and 20 injured in a nursing home fire in a western suburb of Sydney, Australia.

Firecrews were sent to the scene at around 5am and began evacuating 100 residents from the home which was filled with thick smoke.

Greg Mullins, from the New South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: "As the fire escalated, about 15 people were unaccounted for. Eighty firefighters searched the nursing home from top to bottom.

"We've now accounted for all residents but unfortunately some people have lost their lives. Some have been taken to hospital in a serious condition."

The injured residents from the Quakers Hill Nursing Home are suffering mainly from smoke inhalation and burns.

Emergency services who went to the scene in the early hours after an automatic fire alarm went off described the situation as "chaotic and tragic".

"This is a firefighter's worst nightmare," Mr Mullins added.

"Crews had to literally crawl on their hands and knees into every room in the complex, reach up under the beds, searching cupboards, anywhere where someone may have crawled away."

Dozens of elderly people who survived were brought out of the home and lay on beds or sat in wheelchairs as they were checked by paramedics.

Police are now investigating to determine if the fire was an accident or started deliberately.