In Odessa, nine people died in a hotel fire. Police versions include arson to cover up a murder.

Nine people died and 10 more were injured in a fire at the Tokyo Star Hotel in Odessa, Ukrayinska Pravda reports. According to preliminary information, people died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The police are considering three versions of what happened, said the chief of police in the Odessa region Oleg Bekh. This is arson to cover up the murder, violation of fire safety rules and careless handling of fire. A criminal case was initiated under the article on violation of fire safety requirements.

Ukrayinska Pravda notes that the two-story hotel is located in the building of a former tram depot. Some of the hotel's 270 rooms do not have windows.

Update. New data on the number of dead has been added to the note.