The fire broke out in the basement of a three-story residential building, whose 1st floor and basement had been converted into a hostel.

Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after reports of the blaze, and saw the fire had already engulfed the basement of the building.

According to preliminary information, the deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. The Almaty Public Health Department later reported that two people were hospitalized.

A total of 72 people were at the hostel at the time of the fire, and 59 people managed to evacuate safely. 

RHM/PR