Nurse admits fatal Sydney nursing home arson

A nurse has admitted murdering 11 elderly people by setting fire to the Sydney nursing home where he worked.

Roger Dean also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to another eight nursing home residents injured by the blaze in 2011.

The 37-year-old registered nurse was on duty when he started the fire and later appeared on television describing his efforts to rescue trapped people at the home in the suburb of Quakers Hill.

He made his pleas in New South Wales state Supreme Court today. His sentencing hearing starts on Thursday. He faces life imprisonment.

Police had questioned him at the home hours before the blaze over theft claims. He had already admitted stealing prescription drugs from the home.

AP