By Samantha Hayes
A fifth elderly person has died in hospital after yesterday's Sydney rest home fire.
Police investigators are now convinced it was deliberately lit and have charged a male nurse employed at the Quakers Hill facility with five counts of murder.
Detectives arrested Roger Dean in the early hours of this morning after questioning him for some time last night.
He has been employed at the rest home for a short time.
Yesterday he told reporters he had tried to save lives, not take them.
Detective supt. Michael willing, nsw homicide squad
Nurses from the rest home laid flowers for their murdered patients – killed, police say, by one of their co-workers.
Detective superintendent Michael Willing of the New South Wales homicide squad says after following extensive inquiries last night, the 35-year-old was arrested.
Police allege Dean deliberately lit the two separate fires which eventually gutted the rest home.
Yesterday he claimed on camera that he had saved lives.
“I’m one of the nurses and just, there was a fire and I quickly just did what I can and get everyone out.”
But today he appeared in a Parramatta Court via video link.
Dean has been remanded in custody and refused bail.
Amateur video shows the blaze well alight in the early hours of yesterday morning.
More than 80 elderly resident were rescued from the building as the roof collapsed.
The death toll initially stood at three, all elderly residents who had died in their beds. Mr Willing says last night a fourth passed away.
And this morning another person succumbed to injuries in hospital, bringing the death count to five.
Because of the intensity of the fire police are yet to identify two of the resident's killed in the rest home.
"This is a tragedy for Sydney. It's a tragedy for the entire community,” says Mr Willing.
Seven victims remain in intensive care, 23 others are still being treated.
Police say their investigation may take some days. In the meantime forensic accounting experts have been called in to examine records and identify anyone who might stand to benefit financially.
Police were led to Dean by information from the public and his fellow nurses. They will now be witnesses in the case. He is due to appear back on court on Thursday.
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