At least eight people have died in a large office building fire near Moscow, according to regional Governor Andrey Vorobyov.
Emergency officials told the state-owned Tass news agency that only one person was rescued from the blaze at the building in Fryazino, about 25km (15.5 miles) northeast of the capital.
Two people died after jumping from a window, while six perished when the interior of the office collapsed, Mr. Vorobyov wrote in a social media post.
Footage online showed thick smoke billowing from the upper floors of the eight-story complex.
There are conflicting reports about the building’s purpose. According to Tass, it once housed the Platan Research Institute and defense industry. However, a statement to the agency from Ruselectronics, a state-owned electronics organization, said the building has been privately owned since the 1990s. Opposition media outlets recently reported that Platan was based in the building as recently as 2023.
Mr. Vorobyov stated that a 34-year-old man had been hospitalized in serious condition, while two firefighters were also being treated for injuries. Local emergency services confirmed that the man was the only person rescued from the blaze.
Emergency ministry officials reported that over 130 people and two helicopters were involved in fighting the fire, which had been largely “localized” by 20:00 local time (18:00 BST).
The cause of the fire is not immediately clear, but one eyewitness told Tass that it broke out on the sixth floor before spreading. Mr. Vorobyov mentioned that around 30 companies rented office space in the building, with the fate of two employees still unknown.
A criminal case has been opened, and prosecutors are investigating the cause of the blaze.