Four people have been killed and at least 21 injured after a fire broke out at a retirement home in Germany overnight.

A firefighter and police officer were also injured in the blaze in Bedburg-Hau in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, police said.

In addition to those who were confirmed to be injured, 46 other residents were evacuated and were being examined for possible injuries, German news agency dpa reported.

Firefighters had to break windows in order to reach some of the residents inside after the fire alarm sounded shortly after 4am.

“Residents were lying in their beds, unable to get out of bed or their room on their own, standing at the windows calling for help,” said Michael Hendricks, spokesman for the Bedburg-Hau fire department.

“We had to break windows to free them. Comrades wearing heavy breathing protection passed injured people through to us.

“We had to carry out resuscitation measures on four people on site, for whom, unfortunately, all help came too late.”

The four people could not be saved and dozens more suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital for treatment.

One person is in a critical condition.

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The fire has been doused but firefighters were still working at the scene this morning.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

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