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Nine dead in Bulgaria nursing home fire

Tsvetelia TsolovaAP
Nine people have died in a fire at a nursing home in the village of Royak, Bulgaria.
Camera IconNine people have died in a fire at a nursing home in the village of Royak, Bulgaria. Credit: AP

Nine people have been killed in a fire at a nursing home in the eastern Bulgarian village of Royak and some of its elderly residents were gassed, a senior interior ministry official says.

The fire, which broke out from the wooden rooftop of the home late on Monday, was put out and the nursing home where 58 elderly people lived has been evacuated, said Tihomir Totev, the head of the regional fire safety department.

"When the six fire machines arrived at the home, the rooftop was engulfed in huge flames and black smoke. Firefighters started evacuating the residents, but unfortunately nine people lost their lives," Totev said.

The reasons for the fire are being investigated.

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