Moment huge shopping centre mysteriously explodes in Moscow, killing at least one, as 'arson' investigation launched

9 December 2022, 11:03 | Updated: 9 December 2022, 11:37

This is the moment a shopping centre in Moscow mysteriously explodes, engulfing the building in a huge ball of flames, killing at least one person.

The fire at the Mega Khimki shopping centre in a north-eastern suburb of Moscow started on Thursday night and reached 18,000 square metres at one point.

The person who died was a security guard at the shopping centre, according to the emergency services.

The fire has since been brought under control, but firefighters are still at the scene.

It is unclear what started the fire, which spread across the roof of the OBI superstore. Later explosions are thought to have been caused by igniting aerosols and and tins of paint.

Emergency services said the blaze could have been caused by arson, or a technical fault with the electrics.

A spokesperson for the Russian ministry of emergency situations said: "Various explanations are being considered, including technical ones, like a short circuit in the electrical circuit.

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"We are also considering intentional actions, i.e. arson."