13 killed in hostel fire in Almaty

13 people were killed in a fire which broke out in a hostel in Almaty city earlier this morning, Kazinform News Agency cites the municipal emergencies department.

According to the emergencies authorities, the report on the fire  was received at 05:33 am. The first brigade arrived at the scene within seven minutes.

As it became known, the fire broke out in the hostel which occupied a basement level of a 3-storey building. The fire covered the area of about 30 square meters 

The fire was extinguished at 06:22 am.

Bodies of 13 people who preliminarily died from carbon monoxide poisoning were found on the accident site.

72 people were in the hostel at the moment when fire occurred, 59 of them managed to leave the building safely.

The cause of the incident and death of people is being investigated.