10 killed in group home fire in Southwest Missouri

ANDERSON, Mo. (AP) -- At least 10 people have been confirmed killed in a fire at a group home in southwest Missouri, State Fire Marshal Randy Cole said Monday.

The fire was reported early Monday at the Anderson Guest House, a state-run home for the elderly and mentally disabled south of Joplin. Cole said he believed about 35 people were in the home at the time of the fire, 10 of them were killed and at least 12 more were taken to hospitals.

The cause was still under investigation, and names of the victims had not yet been released.

Cole said the building was "very heavily damaged" before the fire was brought under control just before daylight.

He said the home was run by the Missouri Mental Health Department and Department of Health and Senior Services.

The departments did not immediately have any comment.