22 dead in fire at illegal shelter in Russia

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian officials say 22 people died in a fire at a private shelter in the Siberian city of Kemerovo that was operating illegally. Initial reports Saturday described the wooden building in the city 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles) east of Moscow as a nursing home, but the country’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, later said it was a “temporary residence for persons in a difficult life situation.” The committee said a man who rented the building has been arrested and charged with violation of safety regulations resulting in multiple deaths. The committee’s statement did not identify him, but news reports said he was a local clergyman.