Russian authorities say at least 20 people have died after a fire broke out at a home for the elderly in the Siberian city of Kemerovo.
Six more people were injured. The entire upper part of the two-storied wooden building was gutted in the overnight fire.
Initial reports said the malfunction was caused by a heating boiler.
JEE News quoted officials as saying that the private home for the elderly was operating illegally.
Dozens of firefighters were deployed and the fire was brought under control on Saturday morning.
The governor of the region said that all similar facilities will now be inspected.
A criminal inquiry has been initiated.
Local fire service officials told JEE News that many unregistered homes for the elderly are operating across Russia. As such, they were considered private property and not subject to fire safety inspections.
In 2018, 60 people – including 37 children – died in a fire at a recreation center in Kemerovo.
