Kemerovo:  At least 20 people died as a fire broke out in an illegal home for the elderly in the Siberian city of Kemerovo, media reports said on Saturday.

"According to the latest data, 20 people were killed," the country's emergency services told Sputnik.

A spokesperson of the Russian Emergencies Ministry told Sputnik that the fire at the nursing home in Kemerovo was contained at 23:39 local time on Friday (16:39 GMT).

Earlier, emergency services told Sputnik that the death toll stood at 13, and that the retirement home was illegal.

Regional health authorities told Sputnik that two people were in serious condition following the fire, while a total of six people received medical care.

The Investigative Committee of Russia has opened a criminal case over the incident.