UPDATE 2 - Fire destroys Baku apartment building, killing at least 16

Sixty-three others sustained injuries of varying severity following the fire in Binaqadi district, Azadliq Avenue 200/36, according to the Ministry of Health.

The blaze could have been caused by a low-quality material that was used in the facing of the building, Prosecutor-General Qaralov said, adding that his office launched a criminal investigation.

Qaralov visited the site of the incident together with Interior Minister Ramil Usubov.

Several fire-fighting vehicles, including helicopters, were used to extinguish the fire. 

It was a second Baku building that caught fire in the past few weeks because of the highly inflammable material used for beautification purposes.

A multi-story residential building was severaly damaged by fire in Xatai district last month. No one died in that incident.