KYIV (Reuters) -- A fire raced through a gaming hall full of slot machines in central Ukraine, killing nine people and injuring 11, the Emergencies Ministry said.
Ministry spokesman Igor Krol told Reuters the fire engulfed the hall just before 1 a.m. in the industrial city of Dnipropetrovsk.
"The toll is nine dead and 11 injured," Krol said.
Police said preliminary investigation showed the fire broke out in one of the facility's dozens of slot machines.
Interfax Ukraine news agency said two female employees of the hall were among the dead.
It said patrons heard a small bang before the blaze erupted near the entrance.
Security staff were overwhelmed by smoke and flames and dozens of firefighters and rescue workers were sent to the scene.