A huge fire broke out on Sunday in a large warehouse in central Moscow, close to three train stations that connect the Russian capital with several major cities in the country, including St. Petersburg in the north-west, the Russian Emergencies Ministry announced.
Clouds of black smoke rose high into the sky, contrasting with the white color of the snow-covered cobblestones in front of the nearby Yaroslavsky, Leningradsky and Kazansky stations, according to images broadcast on Russian television.
Trains from these stations connect the Russian capital with Saint Petersburg (northwest), Kazan (700 km east of Moscow) or even Vladivostok (Far East).
At least 2,500 square meters affected
The fire broke out around 1200 GMT in a two-story brick warehouse, according to a statement from the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Around 14:00 GMT, the fire invaded about 2,500 square meters of the building, according to the same source.
Three helicopters, a fire train and 80 rescuers were dispatched to the scene to fight the blaze, the ministry said on Telegram.
For its part, the Russian railway company (RZD) assured that the fire “does not threaten travelers and does not affect the operation of trains,” according to the public press agency RIA Novosti.
Source: BFM TV
