According to the Ministry for Emergency Situations in Khabarovsk, the fire erupted at noon local time. "We received a call from the dispatcher, who reported that the fire had started in the shopping complex. This location is well-known among residents due to its high foot traffic," the ministry explained.
All 270 individuals present were safely evacuated without any reported injuries. The ministry detailed that a large portion of the shopping center's roof was engulfed in flames. "A huge column of black, acrid smoke can be seen billowing from the site, visible for miles," reported the Brief channel.
A video was shared by the Shot channel:
Currently, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Firefighters are working to control the blaze, after which investigators will assess the site.
The fire reportedly spread over approximately 1,000 square meters, with more than 10 firefighting teams responding to the incident.