Russia: Eight people killed in a massive fire at residential building

Russia: After eight people, including a child, were killed in a fire at an apartment block in the Urals. Russian authorities have begun a criminal probe.Fire services were called to reports of a blaze in a nine-story residential building in the city of Yekaterinburg early on Tuesday.The fire was reported at 02:58 local time when a flat on the second floor was on fire, and very dense smoke filled the building.READ MORE NEWS HEREThe Regional Ministry for Emergency Services told that firefighters immediately began relocating residents, and had controlled the blaze within an hour."The firefighters carried almost all people out of the intense apartment, including one child, and handed them over to doctors," the Ministry said in a statement."In conditions of strong smoke, the gas and smoke protection service organized the evacuation and rescue of citizens through a burning entrance."READ MORE NEWS HERE90 people, including nine children, were evacuated from the building in total, and a temporary service center was set up nearby.Investigators from the Sverdlovsk region have said that a criminal probe had been opened to determine the cause of the fire and establish measures that could prevent a similar incident in the future. Witnesses were questioned at the scene and the bodies of the victims have been sent for medical examination.READ MORE NEWS HERE"The Investigative Committee employees will without fail find out the reasons and conditions that led to this incident," the authority said.Possible explanations include careless handling of fire, short-circuiting of electrical wiring, and electrical equipment malfunctioning, the Investigative Committee added.READ MORE NEWS HEREThe investigation would look into all aspects to understand the cause of the fire which seems to be unclear from initial stances. The kins of the deceased are seeking justice from the administration.