22 people were killed in a house fire in Siberia, Russia

At least 22 people were killed when a fire broke out in a home for the elderly in Russia’s Siberia region.

Local news reported Saturday that investigators are looking into whether the misuse of electrical equipment was to blame.

The fire broke out in the city of Kemerovo late Friday night and destroyed the second floor of the building, which is not officially registered as a home for the elderly.

State media and emergency services said he was out in the early hours when rescuers finished combing the rubble.

Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said a group of senior officials flew to Kemerovo, 3,600 kilometers (2,200 miles) east of Moscow, and noted that there were several possible causes for the fire.

“One of them is a violation of the rules for operating electrical equipment,” RIA news agency quoted a ministry statement as saying.

RIA, citing the city authorities, said earlier that violations of fire safety regulations could be the reason for this.

Officials said many nursing homes operate without a license in Russia, which means they are considered private property and are not subject to inspection.

One of the deadliest fires in Russia was seen in Kemerovo in recent times when a blaze swept through the upper floors of the Winter Cherry shopping center in 2018, killing 64 people.