A late-night fire in Astana, Kazakhstan, has turned tragic, claiming the lives of three children and leaving a community in shock.

The blaze erupted in a 21-story residential building on Turkistan Street in the Yesil district, starting in an apartment on the 15th floor, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene and found the apartment engulfed in flames. Firefighters managed to rescue a woman who had suffered burns; she was urgently transported to hospital for treatment.

Tragically, the bodies of three children were later discovered inside the apartment.

The incident triggered a large-scale evacuation effort. Around 20 residents were safely evacuated by emergency teams, while nearly 40 others managed to leave the building on their own as the fire spread.

The fire has been fully extinguished. Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the blaze.

Local officials have pledged full support to the injured woman and the family affected by the loss, stressing that the situation remains under close and special control.