National

Disability worker accused of causing patient's death

Jan 7, 2026

Police tape (file) — Four years after a fatal house fire, a disability support worker has been charged with manslaughter. -AAP Image

A disability support worker has been charged with manslaughter more than four years after a deadly fire erupted at a home for people living with disabilities.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

Police allege Shugam Kharel, 27, acted negligently when he left disabled residents of the care home unsupervised on the morning of April 13, 2021.

Two residents were pulled from the single-level villa in Carramar, in Sydney's southwest, after it went up in flames before 7am.

A 38-year-old man was rescued by disability support staff and firefighters performed CPR until NSW Ambulance arrived at the scene.

"NSW Fire and Rescue did a great job securing the site so that we could treat our patient in a safe environment," then NSW Ambulance Inspector Phil Sweet said at the time.

"Despite the best efforts of paramedics and other emergency services, the patient couldn't be resuscitated."

The second resident was treated for smoke inhalation.

After a years-long investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire, Kharel was arrested on Tuesday morning and charged with manslaughter.

The 27-year-old was refused bail and was due to face court on Wednesday.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636