An elderly man has died and a woman is in hospital after a suspected mobility scooter fire tore through a retirement village in Adelaide.
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Police and fire crews rushed to Crestview Retirement Village at Hillcrest in the city's north after a unit was engulfed in flames about 10pm on Monday.
An 81-year-old woman escaped the inferno but an 83-year-old man died at the scene.
The woman was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with minor injuries.
Tony Randello, chief executive of Crestview operator Aveo, said early reports from first responders indicated the fire was caused by a mobility scooter battery that was charging overnight.
His thoughts were with the victims' family, he said in a statement.
Two adjoining villas in the unit block were also damaged by the blaze but the residents were not home at the time.
"Aveo is supporting the residents of those villas to make alternative accommodation arrangements," Mr Randello said.
Twenty-four firefighters and five vehicles extinguished the fire after an hour and prevented it spreading to additional buildings.
The Metropolitan Fire Service estimates $250,000 damage was caused to the property.
Fire investigators are looking into the cause of the fire, which has been deemed non-suspicious.
"We extend our heartfelt thanks to all emergency services personnel for their swift response," Mr Randello said.
"Aveo's community team are providing counselling and support to residents, and the families of those impacted by this incident."
Australian Associated Press
