The fire, which occurred on Tavricheskaya Street in Kemerovo, gutted the entire second floor of the building, fire safety officials said.

The building was not officially registered as a home for the elderly, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.

The blaze was brought under control a few hours later.

“A private residential building was adapted for the elderly. There was stove heating. According to preliminary data, the stove's improper operation caused the fire,” emergency services said.

Kemerovo Oblast Governor Sergey Tsivilyov said on Telegram that all regional nursing homes, particularly private ones, will be checked in the coming week.

The Investigative Committee of Russia has opened a criminal case after the fire in Kemerovo. (ILKHA)