Audio By Carbonatix
A huge fire has ripped through a major shopping complex on the edge of Moscow killing at least one person, Russia's Emergencies Ministry has said.
Video of the blaze showed explosions at the massive Mega Khimki mall.
Arson is being investigated as a possible cause of the fire, but an electrical fault is thought to be a more likely trigger.
The centre had housed major Western retail outlets, until they pulled out after February's invasion of Ukraine.
The fire spread across the roof of the OBI superstore at the complex early on Thursday morning, and at one point covered 18,000 sq m (194,000 sq ft).
By around 08:30 Moscow time (05:30 GMT) firefighters quoted by Russian media said it had been contained to an area of 7,000 sq m.
Two hours later, an Emergencies Ministry official said what he described as the "open fire" had been put out.
At least one explosion at OBI, which sells home and garden improvement wares, caused the structure to start collapsing, firefighters said.
The blasts are thought to have been caused by exploding aerosols and paint tins.
Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case into the incident. Losses from the fire have been estimated at $320m-$480m (£261m-£390m).
The German hardware chain OBI no longer owns the store, having sold all its Russian outlets - including 27 superstores - over the summer.
A 60% stake was bought by Russian-born German-Israeli businessman Josef Liokumovich for just $10 (£8).
Latest Stories
-
“We are one house – let’s settle this at home” – Atomaase Royal family calls for unity, rallies behind Twafohene
60 minutes -
The Missing Middle and the Overlooked Small: Why Ghana Must Serve Both the ‘S’ and ‘M’ in MSME’s
1 hour -
Mahama returns from Angola after AU extraordinary summit
2 hours -
Ghana qualifies for quarterfinals of Africa Volleyball Nations Cup after beating Zambia
2 hours -
WAFU B WCLQ: Ampem Darkoa Ladies come from behind to beat Edo Queens
2 hours -
Photos: National Youth Authority Festival
2 hours -
Bawumia commissions St Jude’s Catholic Church he funded to completion at Weija
3 hours -
Government defends new beer exercise rates; sliding scale has not been abolished
3 hours -
Bolgatanga Assembly denies blanket ban on events beyond 8pm
3 hours -
Photos: Ghana Immigration Service removes 1,055 street beggars from Accra, Kumasi streets
3 hours -
‘He always comes to our aid’ – Fr. Campbell recounts Bawumia’s support for Church, poor
3 hours -
Remittances drop marginally year-on-year to US$3.65bn in half-year 2026
3 hours -
T-bills: Government exceeds target by 139%, interest rates tumble
3 hours -
Why Chelsea need more than a new goalkeeper to be title challengers
4 hours -
Outlook of Ghana’s external sector remains positive for second-half of 2026 – BoG
4 hours