6 killed in nursing home fire in Bulgaria

At least six people have died in a fire at a nursing home in the village of Royak in eastern Bulgaria on Monday afternoon, reported Xinhua, quoting the Interior Ministry in a statement.

The ministry also said some of the elderly people have been gassed.

The fire broke out just before 6 p.m. local time (1600 GMT), and five fire and rescue teams were sent immediately to the scene, according to the ministry.

According to BTV, the first private nationwide television channel in Bulgaria, there were around 60 elderly people in the nursing home when the accident happened.

The ministry said the elderly people had been evacuated, adding that the fire was extinguished.

According to initial data, the fire started from the roof and affected the third floor. An investigation is underway, the ministry said.