Eight people died Monday, June 24, 2024, in a fire at an office building in Fryazino, near Moscow, according to local authorities. The blaze resulted in two individuals jumping from the building to escape the flames, while six others perished inside.
The fire, which broke out in a multistory office building, was reportedly caused by a malfunctioning electrical system, as stated by the state news agency Tass. Videos shared on social media depicted thick smoke billowing from the building’s windows, emphasizing the severity of the incident.
Regional governor Andrei Vorobyev commented on the situation through a post on the social media platform Telegram. He explained that the explosion of oxygen tanks stored within the building led to the collapse of several ceilings. “Two people died when they jumped from the building, and six more died inside,” Vorobyev reported.
The building housed offices rented by 30 different companies, allegedly including the Platan Research Institute, which is known for producing electronics. A Russian newspaper, though, said that the Institute develops equipment used by Russia’s military in jets, bombers, and missiles, and for radar and space technology.
The Platan Research Institute has been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for various activities, including interference in foreign elections and malicious cyber operations. The Treasury’s sanctions list indicates that the Platan Research Institute is located at the same address as the building that caught fire.
Despite the fire’s devastating impact, Ruselectronics, the parent company of the Platan Research Institute, denied that the institute was affected by the blaze. In a statement published by Tass, Ruselectronics claimed the building had passed into private ownership in the 1990s and that the institute was no longer a tenant. However, independent Russian media suggested the company had recently relocated to a neighboring building.
The Moscow Times reported that two individuals were arrested following the fire. The deputy director of the property management company and a representative of the building’s deceased owner face charges of providing unsafe services that led to the deaths. Investigators cited the failure to control the technical condition of the wiring and the violation of fire safety rules as contributing factors to the tragedy. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities seeking to determine if additional parties were involved in the suspected safety violations.
Eyewitness accounts describe a harrowing scene, with people jumping from the windows to escape the smoke and flames. The fire, which spread quickly from the fifth to the eighth floor, required extensive efforts from rescuers attempting to reach those trapped inside.
This incident adds to a series of unexplained fires at Russian facilities linked to the military since the invasion of Ukraine. Although Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for these incidents, the country’s spy chief has admitted to sanctioning covert operations within Russia.
The tragedy has sparked discussions about fire safety regulations and enforcement in Russia. Many are calling for stricter oversight and more rigorous safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on uncovering the exact causes and ensuring accountability for the failures that led to the loss of lives.