World

Fire at security building in Russia’s Rostov

 At least one person has been killed and two injured in a fire at a building used by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, Russian media say.

Dramatic footage on social media shows a large blaze, with smoke visible all over the city.

Rostov’s regional governor said a short circuit appeared to have caused the fire, which ig­nited fuel tanks.The street where the building is located has been cordoned off.

The blaze occurred at a building belonging to the FSB’s regional border patrol section in a built-up area of the city. The FSB is Russia’s internal security service and is responsible for counter-intelligence, border security and counter-terrorism.

Rostov Governor, Vassily Golubev, said the fire had spread over 800 sq. m, causing two walls to collapse.

In a statement, the FSB’s pub­lic relations office said the blaze started at around 12:30 local time (09:30 GMT). It also con­firmed there had been fatalities, but offered no further details.

Authorities managed to put out the blaze by 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT), Russian media reported.

The city is the capital of the southern Rostov region border­ing on the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, currently the scene of intense fighting in the war.

There has been a spate of arson attacks on government buildings in Russia, such as enlistment and conscription offices, since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine denied involvement in the fire.

Presidential aide, Mykhaylo Podolyak, said on Twitter that the incident was a manifestation of panic in Russia. “Ukraine doesn’t interfere, but watches with pleasure,” he said. —BB

Show More
Back to top button