ISTANBUL

At least 17 people were injured after a fire broke out at a nursing home for the elderly in the southwestern French department early Monday.

The victims were affected by smoke inhalation, with three of them in critical condition, following the fire that broke out at a care facility for the elderly in the Gers department, the broadcaster France 3 Occitanie reported.

In total, 81 people, including 75 residents and six staff members, were affected by the fire.

The blaze is reported to have originated from a mattress fire in one of the rooms and was brought under control by the Gers Departmental Fire and Rescue Service.

The response involved the deployment of 70 firefighters and 25 vehicles.