At least four people – including three children – died in a shopping center in the Siberian city of Kemerovo, where a huge fire broke out Sunday. Emergency services continue working to rescue those trapped inside the building.
The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon local time. Rescuers have managed to get some 120 people out so far, according to the regional emergencies ministry.
The victims were in the mall’s playroom, according to the Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko. “Some 26 people have also sought medical help or been taken to hospitals,” she added.
Meanwhile, the number of injured has risen to 15. Two of them remain in a serious condition.
Pictures circulating on social media show plumes of smoke rising from the building. One of the videos from the site shows a desperate person jump out of a fourth floor window emitting thick black smoke.
The blaze has engulfed some 1,500 square meters so far, but was stopped from spreading further. More than 210 rescuers and 48 units of equipment are deployed at the site.
