Russian fireworks factory blaze results in out-of-control display
6 December 2020, 17:11
Fireworks go off in factory fire in Russia
A blaze at a fireworks factory in Russia on Sunday morning caused a spectacular, out-of-control display, which was caught on camera by the local emergency department.
In videos posted on the Instagram page of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Rostov Region, rockets are seen flying in all directions.
The fire took place in the southern Russian city Rostov-on-Don, which has a population of over one million.
According to state owned media site Russia Today, the fire is reported to have been started by a faulty electric heater.
Stocks were apparently high at the shop ahead of New Year celebrations.
The fire was assigned the highest difficulty grade, number four, as 446 firefighters tackled the blaze throughout the night.
The flames spread across 4,000 square metres, according to the emergency ministry, with firefighters from surrounding areas drafted in.
Preliminary reports suggest there were no casualties, but videos posted online showed significant damage to the area.
