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Blaze at Russian psychiatric hospital kills 38

Officials from the Russian Investigative Committee said they are looking at poor fire regulations and a short circuit as possible causes for the hospital fire

The Associated Press

MOSCOW — At least 38 people have been killed in a fire at a psychiatric hospital on the outskirts of Moscow that housed as many as 41 people, including medical staff.

A nurse and two patients were the only survivors.

The fire broke out on the roof and spread rapidly throughout the hospital wing in the small town of Ramensky around 40 kilometres (25 miles) outside Moscow, the Health Ministry said.

Investigators listed 38 people, 36 patients and two doctors, as dead. Only one nurse and two patients managed to escape, the Health Ministry added.

Officials from the Russian Investigative Committee said they are looking at poor fire regulations and a short circuit as possible causes for the hospital fire in the Ramenskoye settlement.