Six Die in Fire at Elderly Care Home in Milan

Six people died and 81 people were admitted to hospital with smoke poisoning after a fire broke out at a residential care home for the elderly in Italy's Milan in the early hours of Friday, reports AP.    

The victims, five women and one man, were aged between 69 and 87 Two women are said to have burned to death in the room where the fire reportedly started from a bed, while the other victims reportedly died from smoke inhalation.

In total, the structure hosted 167 people.

"Six deaths are a very heavy toll," said Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, who visited the building with city councillor for security Marco Granelli.

The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for multiple manslaughter.

Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and said the regional authorities had "immediately made themselves available" to help find alternative accommodation for the displaced elderly residents.