An 83-year-old man has been found dead after a woman, 81, was taken to hospital after a major fire at Crestview Retirement Village in Hillcrest, 10km northeast of Adelaide's city centre, late on Monday night.
The elderly man was found in the debris while the woman managed to get out from the blazing unit with minor injuries. She was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment.
Two units at the village went up in flames just after 10pm on Monday. South Australia Police in a statement this morning stated extensive damage was caused to the property and the adjoining unit, but thankfully next door neighbours were not home at the time.
It took 24 South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service firefighters and five appliances an hour to put out the fire and prevent further damage to a third unit.
The cause of the fire is still undetermined but is not considered suspicious, said South Australian Police.
Neighbours told The Advertiser they were in shock at the elderly man’s death.
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.”
