**At least nine people have been killed in a fire at a retirement home in the northern Belgian town of Melle, officials say.**The fire broke out at the Kanunnik Triest home, which houses about 90 residents, local media said.
Three more residents are said to be in a critical condition. Two rescuers were taken to hospital after inhaling fumes.
A nurse told the De Standaard newspaper the fire was caused by an overheating fan on the first floor.
Melle is some 10km (six miles) from the centre of Ghent and has a population of about 10,000.
The blaze broke out at about 2000 local time (1800 GMT) and has now been brought under control.
The emergency services evacuated the rest of the occupants to a nearby hall.
Julie Clement, a spokeswoman for Belgium’s East Flanders region, told Reuters news agency that eight of the victims had been identified so far and they were all residents.
Ms Clement said the home had not been gutted and could be restored.