ROME 

An overnight fire in a retirement home in Milan killed six people and injured many others, Italy's firefighters service said on Friday.

The Italian Fire Brigade (Vigili del Fuoco) said on Twitter that the fire started in a retirement home on Via dei Cinquecento avenue at 1.20 a.m. (2320GMT).

Besides the deaths, many others who were intoxicated by the fumes were hospitalized, it added.

The firefighters rescued dozens of people, and launched an investigation into the fire, which was put out.

According to Italian news agencies, 81 people were hospitalized, including 16 in critical condition.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala visited the scene early Friday and told reporters that the fire was extinguished.

*Writing by Nur Asena Erturk in Ankara