21 Nov 2011

Toll from Sydney nursing home blaze rises to seven

6:22 pm on 21 November 2011

A seventh elderly person has died from last week's nursing home fire in the western Sydney suburb of Quakers Hill.

Police say Caesar Galea, 82, died at Hawkesbury Hospital on Monday morning.

The blaze broke out at the Principal home shortly before 5am on Friday.

Three residents were killed in the flames while a further four have died subsequently of their injuries.

Another 10 people remain in intensive care units in several Sydney hospitals, the ABC reports.

An employee of the home, registered nurse Roger Dean, has been charged with four counts of murder over the fire.

Police expect to lay further charges against the 35-year-old, who is expected to face court again on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Aged Care Association has backed New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell's announcement of a review of the aged care industry in the wake of the fire.

Mr O'Farrell says he has asked for a report on the adequacy of the police checks carried out for nursing home staff and also the safety and security of buildings.