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Four children and two adults dead as people jump from burning windows of Kemerovo shopping centre

By The Siberian Times reporter
25 March 2018

Emergency services in major operation with higher toll feared.

The horrific scene was at the 'Winter Cherry' shopping centre in Kemerovo, Siberia. Picture: Social media

At least four children and two adults died in a shopping mall fire in Russia - as people were shown jumping from burning windows. 

Unconfirmed reports said eight children and three adults were killed. 

Among nine injured were two children. 

The horrific scene was at the 'Winter Cherry' shopping centre in Kemerovo, Siberia. 

Several people were showing on videos jumping from high windows with black smoke pouring out. 

Fire


Fire

More than 100 people are evacuated. Pictures: Social media

It is understood they were adults not children. 

One smashed into an awning over a door on the way down as onlookers screamed, and is believed to have died.

Another also jumped and was reported by witnesses to have survived caught by people below. 

Afterwards the emergency services were seen in attendance.


Several people were showing on videos jumping from high windows with black smoke pouring out. 

An evacuation as underway at the scene.

Reports said 20 were rescued from the burning building, and 100 evacuated. 

Parents were seen on videos ushering their children away. 

The fire covered 1500 square metres. 

A children’s attraction in the centre is reported to have caught fire. 

Smoke


Smoke


Smoke


Smoke

The fire covered 1500 square metres. Pictures: VSE42

Police sealed off the shopping centre. 

Eyewitness Alexander Dorogov said: 'Two floors went up in smoke in five minutes.

'The children’s play area in the centre was engulfed smoke in two minutes.

'The smoke was so thick that you couldn’t see a stretched out hand.

People jumping


People jumping


People jumping

One smashed into an awning over a door on the way down as onlookers screamed, and is believed to have died. Another also jumped and was reported by witnesses to have survived caught by people below.

'When firefighters came, two people had already jumped out of windows. 

'We found some carpet to hold out and  catch one of them.'

There were fears the burned shopping centre could collapse.

Earlier reports said children died from “gas poisoning” in the mall.

'Four children corpses have been found in a children's area during the rescue operations,' said the Russian Investigative Committee which probes serious crime. 

A criminal investigation has been launched. 

Fifteen fire teams including 60 firemen were at the  scene of the accident.

Two of the injured were hospitalised with fractures and the rest with smoke poisoning.

Some 1500 square metres of the mall was ablaze. 

Around 1,000 were in the mall when the blaze engulfed shoppers

Kids in private zoo and playing ground just hours before the fire.

Before the fire


Before the fire


Before the fire

Comments (1)

This too unbearable for words. If we can't keep a shopping mall safe for kids, it reflects a real problem with our society at all levels -- local/national/global. All buildings should get a full annual fire safety inspection and fix any fire hazards. It is surprising that fire insurance inspectors had not caught this. City govt needs to wake up.
sbalram, Reston/US
26/03/2018 00:39
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0
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