A fire of 7,000 m2 rages in a shopping mall in Moscow: firefighters suspect a criminal act
Sylvie Claire / December 9, 2022
The Russian emergency services suspect that a "criminal" act is at the origin of the vast fire which started on Thursday nightin a shopping mall in the suburbs of Moscow, Russian news agencies reported.
Firefighters are fighting a fire covering an area of 7,000 m2 in the Moscow region," the Russian Minister of Emergency Situations announced on Telegram.
The fire is raging in the Mega Khimki shopping mall in the Khimki suburb north of the Russian capital.
Russian emergency services suspect that a "criminal" act is behind the massive fire, Russian news agencies reported shortly afterwards, referring to sources within the emergency services.
"Deliberate acts, such as arson, is being considered," the Interfax agency said, citing an unidentified source.
The Sputnik news agency said that a criminal act was "one of the main explanations" being considered for the fire.
Videos posted on social networks showed a large-scale fire as people fled from a burning building towards a parking lot.