The fire raised additional concern in Russian Federation because it followed two similar fires in 2013 that took the lives of 75 people. There had been a fire safety drill at the facility just last month.The evacuation wasnt easy because nearly 30 patients were bedridden and some had been given strong medication before going to bed, a rescue worker told state news agency TASS.
Advertisement
Most of those who died in the blaze were in their 60s and 70s, although some were in their 40s and 50s, according to a list of patients.
At least two dozen people were admitted to a local hospital with serious burn injuries.
The fire, which may have been caused by an electrical malfunction, was extinguished after burning several hours.
The Investigative Committee, which reports directly to Putin, said it had opened a criminal probe on suspicion of negligence.
In a strongly-worded statement, Vladimir Markin, spokesman of the Russian Investigative Committee, pointed to a string of previous mistakes.
It was not immediately clear what triggered the blaze.
Seventy patients and four nurses were in the Soviet-era ward when the fire started.
Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov flew to the scene and praised the medical staff and rescuers for saving so numerous patients.
He also posted pictures of rooms with cracked linoleum, grubby walls and decrepit furniture.
Advertisement
In September 2013, a fire at a home for psychiatric patients in the Novgorod region northwest of Moscow killed 37 people.
