RUSSIA: Three die in blast and fire at Moscow apartment block

Record ID: 359362

  • Title: RUSSIA: Three die in blast and fire at Moscow apartment block
  • Date: 1st April 2008
  • Summary: (BN14)MOSCOW, RUSSIA (APRIL 4, 2008) (REUTERS) FIRE ENGINES OUTSIDE BLOCK OF FLATS WHERE EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE RESCUER ON LADDER OUTSIDE HOLE IN BLOCK OF FLATS VARIOUS FIREMEN OUTSIDE BUILDING SMOKE COMING OUT AMBULANCES OUTSIDE PEOPLE OUTSIDE PEOPLE WATCHING FROM WINDOWS FIREMEN ON FIRE ENGINE LADDERS PUTTING OUT FIRE POLICE AND RESCUERS OUTSIDE DESTROYED PART OF BUILDING
  • Embargoed: 16th April 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVAESBP6O4EJC0N93REE51WSO5GW
  • Story Text: Three people have died in a fire caused by an explosion at a high rise block of flats in Moscow. Fire crews rescued another 15 people.
    Intensive fire has erupted following an explosion in an apartment block in northeastern Moscow on Friday (April 4).
    The explosion affected several flats on the 10th, 11th and 12th floors of a 22 storied residential building of about 600 flats.
    Major General Viktor Klinkin from Russian ministry of the emergencies said fire rescue teams rescued people who had been cut off by the smoke and fire.

    "So far we have rescued 15 people," he said.

    "On the 13th floor we have saved a child who we've carried down in our hands. By now the fire has been put out," said Klinkin.
    As a result of the explosion and fire ceilings and dividing walls of the building partially collapsed.
    Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov, who arrived at the scene of the explosion, ruled out terrorism as the reason behind the incident.
    Authorities say technical violations during welding works at the building were the most likely cause of the blast.
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