20 dead in fire at illegal retirement home in Siberia How the “bomb cyclone” in the US is linked to the thaw in Switzerland

At least 20 people have been killed in a fire at a retirement home in the western Siberian city of Kemerovo, according to Russian civil protection. The fire broke out on Saturday night in the shed-like building in a district of the industrial city, authorities said. An investigation is being conducted into the violation of fire protection regulations in housing for the socially disadvantaged, which is located in a private building. Two people were taken to hospital with burns. The cause of the fire is believed to be improper use of an oven heater.

In Russia, serious fires continue to break out due to violations of the most basic security measures. Thousands of people die every year.

A representative of the fire protection inspection wanted to check the facility on Dec. 7, but was refused, according to the Russian Ministry of Civil Protection. The authority published photos and videos of the burning and destroyed building. The emergency services were working there – about 3,600 kilometers east of Moscow – in the snow in sub-zero temperatures. More than 80 people and 28 vehicles therefore took action.

According to the Russian state news agency Tass, the owner of the building and a pastor who allegedly ran the homeless service have been questioned by investigators. Accordingly, there should have been no approval for the operation of the residence. (saw/sda/dpa)