Japanese media say 11 people have died in a fire that engulfed a home for elderly welfare recipients in northern Japan.

The fire broke out before midnight Thursday in Sapporo, the main city on the island of Hokkaido. Media reports say that five residents were rescued.

Footage on public broadcaster NHK showed flames and smoke pouring out of the three-story building as firefighters battled the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Kyodo News service says the building was a former inn that had been rented by the operator of the facility.