By Peter McLaren-Kennedy • Updated: 12 Dec 2022 • 10:31
Moscow fire - Credit Video Kommersant
While it is still unclear as to what caused the fire, the Committee said that the centre did not meet safety requirements. According to the report, the failure to meet the required standards had contributed to the extent of the blaze, as it had the difficulties fire fighters faced in trying to extinguish the flames in the Khimki shopping centre.
Forensic teams will begin their investigations as soon as it is safe to enter the facility.
According to Russian news site Kommersant the fire began in the OBI hypermarket early this morning spreading across the 18,000 square metre facility.
Wow! That fire at the shopping centre on the outskirts of #Moscow escalated quickly. One whole side of the Mega mall in #Khimki was wiped out when something exploded inside. Don't shed tears – remember #RussiaIsATerroristState pic.twitter.com/HyVFwIQVBL — Tim White (@TWMCLtd) December 9, 2022
Wow! That fire at the shopping centre on the outskirts of #Moscow escalated quickly.
One whole side of the Mega mall in #Khimki was wiped out when something exploded inside.
Don't shed tears – remember #RussiaIsATerroristState pic.twitter.com/HyVFwIQVBL
— Tim White (@TWMCLtd) December 9, 2022
Fire fighters continue to battle the flames, with efforts hampered by the design of the shopping centre as well as the roof which has collapsed. Some 5,000 square metres of the roof has fallen in so far with more expected to collapse the longer the fire continues.
So far one person has been reported dead, however the emergency services do not know who was in the building at the time. They also do not know what caused the fire but that chemicals and aerosols sold by the OBI store had exploded spreading the flames.
“Clink! This is a fire! ”: Burning in an area of 7 thousand meters, roof collapse and even an explosion in the OBI hypermarket in the Mega Khimki shopping center, which, apparently, no longer exists. #Moscow pic.twitter.com/Yi1gPhhC1Q — Avia.Pro – 🛡️Foreign Affairs – 📡Geopolitics (@avia_pro) December 9, 2022
“Clink! This is a fire! ”: Burning in an area of 7 thousand meters, roof collapse and even an explosion in the OBI hypermarket in the Mega Khimki shopping center, which, apparently, no longer exists. #Moscow pic.twitter.com/Yi1gPhhC1Q
— Avia.Pro – 🛡️Foreign Affairs – 📡Geopolitics (@avia_pro) December 9, 2022
The Ministry of Emergency Situations told Interfax that a short circuit in the power grid could have been responsible for starting the fire, but they have not ruled out arson.
The authorities have started an investigation into the fire at the Moscow shopping centre that has destroyed the entire 18,000 square metre facility.
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Originally from South Africa, Peter is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for the Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
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