Major apartment fire in Russia’s Grozny forces evacuation of 300

A major fire broke out in a residential apartment building in the city of Grozny, located in Russia’s Chechen Republic, prompting the evacuation of 300 residents, regional emergency authorities said on May 12.

According to the regional branch of Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, the blaze spread across an area of approximately 2,850 square metres before being fully extinguished. Preliminary findings indicate that the fire may have been caused by careless handling of fire.

Grozny Mayor Khas-Magomed Kadyrov stated that several people were hospitalised with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning following the incident. Authorities said their lives are not in danger.