Four people were hospitalized after a fire at a private house illegally used as a hostel in Almaty, including students. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The fire occurred on the morning of October 21 in the Alatau district. According to eyewitnesses, an explosion occurred at around 10:00 in the private house, after which the fire engulfed the second floor. The area of the fire was 180 square meters. As a result, the roof collapsed.

Eyewitnesses said the victims were carried out of the burning building with severe burns.

"One received burns of about 70 percent. The other three had injuries to their legs and arms. It seems a gas cylinder exploded. Then… I live here, I went deaf. Honestly, I went deaf. I ran out, there were people here, neighbors had already started gathering. Then I learned from neighbors that even houses 500 meters away heard it. It was like an earthquake. There was a shockwave," said Yusuf Ilokhumov.

There are two buildings on the plot in total. According to neighbors, the burned two-story house was built this year and immediately began to be used as a hostel. About 20 people lived in it, including several families.

Another resident said he rented a room for 150,000 tenge.

"I don't know what happened. I came only to pick up my things. I rented a room here for 150,000. They say gas exploded. We used natural gas in the stove, there was no cylinder. There is a kitchen on the second floor, but I can't say for sure. Nothing was damaged on the first floor. And there were few people, everyone was at work or study," said Imanbek Duburbek.

Rescuers localized the fire in less than an hour. According to the akimat, among the four hospitalized are students and one adult. Two patients are in intensive care in extremely serious condition.

"Two patients are in extremely serious condition in intensive care. The condition of the other two victims is assessed as moderate. All victims are receiving the necessary medical care in full," said Laila Imangaliyeva, deputy head of the Almaty public health department.

Specialists are establishing the causes of the incident. The district akimat said that families left without housing were provided with temporary accommodation.

Police have launched an investigation against the owner of the house.