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Fatal fire at Russia nursing home Fatal fire at Russia nursing home
(about 3 hours later)
At least 23 people are feared to have died after a fire engulfed an old people's home in northern Russia, local officials say. At least 23 people are thought to have died after a fire engulfed an old people's home in northern Russia, local officials say.
The cause of the blaze, in the village of Podyelsk in the Komi Republic, is not yet known.The cause of the blaze, in the village of Podyelsk in the Komi Republic, is not yet known.
At least three people were rescued from the fire, which was reported at 1820 (1520 GMT). Three people were saved from the fire, which was reported at 1820 (1520 GMT). Three bodies have been found so far.
Firefighters were trying to extinguish the blaze, which is not yet under control, the officials added. The building was in flames by the time firefighters arrived and it took them two hours to bring it under control.
Emergency Ministry spokesman Grigory Gorbunov told Russian TV the authorities were slow to report the fire. Grigory Gorbunov, a spokesman for the Emergency Ministry, told Russian TV the authorities were slow to report the fire.
"The firemen were alerted way too late and when they arrived the whole building was in flames," he said, quoted by AFP news agency."The firemen were alerted way too late and when they arrived the whole building was in flames," he said, quoted by AFP news agency.
Some officials said there could have been as many as 60 people in the building at the time.Some officials said there could have been as many as 60 people in the building at the time.
Russia has experienced a series of fires at state-run institutions in recent years, many blamed on negligence by officials.Russia has experienced a series of fires at state-run institutions in recent years, many blamed on negligence by officials.
More than 60 people died in a fire in a nursing home in the Krasnodar region in southern Russia in March 2007.More than 60 people died in a fire in a nursing home in the Krasnodar region in southern Russia in March 2007.