Eight killed after becoming trapped as huge fire rips through former Russian research institute in Moscow
AT least eight people have been killed after a fire ripped through a former Russian research institute and left them trapped.
Two people jumped to their deaths from the top floors of the building and six others died inside when the fierce blaze took hold.
More than 130 firefighters and 50 vehicles tackled the flames, which had spread from the fifth floor to the seventh, state-run TASS news agency reported.
Chilling images show black smoke engulfing the structure in the city of Fryazino – located outside Moscow.
A video released by the Russian Emergency Ministry showed fire engines and helicopters trying to contain the fire.
According to the ministry the flames spread rapidly across 5,000 square meters before the interior structures of the building collapsed and an explosion was heard as gas cannisters exploded.
Those at the top of the building could find no means of escaping the roaring inferno and one man was shown jumping from the upper floor of the building by the Baza Telegram channel.
Another, with serious burns, fell from the upper floors, footage published by Shot Telegram channel showed.
The Russian Emergency Ministry press office told local media: “The extinguishing operation is complicated by the presence of gas-air mix canisters inside the building.”
Regional Governor, Andrey Vorobyov, said in a social media post that a 34-year-old man had been taken to hospital in a serious condition, while two firefighters were also being treated for injuries.
Local emergency services said the man was the only person rescued from the blaze.
There are conflicting reports about the building’s purpose.
It once homed the Platan Research Institute and defence industry, according to TASS.
A statement to the agency from Ruselectronics, a Russia-owned electronics organisation, said the building has been privately owned since the 1990s.
But, opposition media outlets recently reported that Platan was based in the building as late as 2023.
It is not clear what caused the fire.
It comes as 20 people were killed after a horror fire ripped through a South Korean lithium battery factory.
Harrowing footage showed thick plumes of smoke billowing through the sky as the fire engulfs the burning building.
The deadly fire is thought to have started after a series of highly flammable battery cells exploded inside the warehouse.