Four people died in a fire at the Solnechny TSC in Sterlitamak

The Solnechny trade and service complex was on fire in Sterlitamak. According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, four people died and five more were injured.

The agency said the fire broke out in the complex’s four-story brick building. Seventeen people were evacuated from the Solnechny premises, and emergency services said the preliminary cause was a malfunction in the electrical system.

A criminal case has been opened over causing death by negligence to two or more persons. Among the dead are three sisters who worked at the trade and service complex.

Witnesses told Ufa1.ru that during the fire people were jumping from the windows of the upper floors and falling from extension ladders that passersby and market employees were using in attempts to rescue them. The TSC administration denies reports that the alarm failed to go off.

The local health ministry said the injured are in hospital. One of them is in serious condition, while a 16-year-old girl and a 27-year-old woman who jumped from the third floor are in moderate condition. The Baza Telegram channel, which is close to law enforcement, claims there were seven injured.

Sources

• Material: meduza.io