Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which covered an area of 100 square meters. The bodies of three victims were discovered in the operation.
Before emergency services arrived, 17 people had been evacuated from the building. The SES noted that six individuals suffered from smoke inhalation.
Emergency psychologists assisted ten people on-site, while medics transported the evacuees and injured to a hospital.
Odesa Oblast Police reported that the deceased were three men, aged 53, 76, and 77, who were unable to move independently. Their bodies have been sent for forensic examination.
Investigators have ordered multiple forensic examinations, including a fire-technical analysis and a safety compliance assessment.
Additionally, police are questioning evacuated residents at the hospital, identifying additional witnesses, and reviewing documentation regarding the facility’s legal operation.
Authorities have opened a criminal investigation under Part 2 of Article 270 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code (Violation of Fire or Technogenic Safety Regulations).