Devastating fire at a retirement home has claimed the lives of 11 elderly people in Russia

A devastating fire at a retirement home has claimed the lives of 11 elderly residents who became trapped inside.

The fire broke out at 3 am local time in the village of Ishbuldino, Russia.

Dozens of victims had mobility problems, making it difficult for them to escape.

According to officials, the fire raged for three hours before emergency services were able to put it out.

The fire in the Urals mountains region took three hours to put out.

“Four people evacuated (the site) on their own before the arrival of firefighters,” a spokesperson for Russia’s emergencies ministry said.

One of the survivors was a staff member, while three others were residents she managed to lead out of the one-story wooden building.

Russia’s investigative committee said it has launched a probe into the incident.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.