Fire at Platan Research Institute claims eight lives; dramatic footage emerges
Eight people died in a fire at the Platan Research Institute building in Frazino near Moscow, as reported by Interfax and TASS, citing emergency services. At least two people jumped from the burning building. Disturbing recordings have appeared online.
"Eight people died in a fire at a building in Friazino near Moscow" - was reported around 4 PM GMT by Interfax and TASS, citing emergency services.
Around 3 PM GMT, the governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyov, stated that two people died in the fire. One of the victims is a man who jumped from the eighth floor of the burning building.
Fire near Moscow: Dramatic recordings
Russian media are publishing recordings of the fire. They show people clinging to windows and trying to get fresh air. It is known that at least two people decided to jump from the burning building.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, around 100 firefighters and two Ka-32 firefighting helicopters are battling the flames. The fire consumed over 4,500 square metres of area.
Earlier, the TASS agency reported that the ceiling between the fifth and sixth floors collapsed. Later, it was reported that the entire building could collapse. Emergency services reported that four floors were completely burned.
Fire at the Platan Research Institute in Russia
It is unclear what caused the fire. Unofficially, it is said that it might have been due to a gas cylinder leak.
The Shot channel claimed the fire might have started in a room where reflectors were being collected. "Perhaps the company's employees forgot to turn off the equipment and left their workstations," it reads.
