Russia bar blaze kills 13; suspect with flare gun detained
Authorities launch criminal proceedings after man allegedly fired a flare gun during a confrontation, setting the nightclub alight.
At least 13 people died in an overnight fire at a nightclub in the Russian city of Kostroma and police detained a man suspected to have ignited it by firing a flare gun.
Video shared by investigators on Saturday showed firefighters spraying water on what appeared to be the smouldering, collapsed roof of the building.
The fire took place at Polygon, a multipurpose recreation venue used as a cafe, nightclub and bar.
“As a result of the fire, 13 people died. The number of dead and injured is being clarified,” the judicial investigating committee said in a statement.
TASS news agency cited investigators as saying the fire may have started after a man fired a flare gun indoors.
Witness testimony suggested the man may have been angered after his advances were spurned.
“He was spending time in the bar with a woman, ordered her flowers, with a flare gun in his hands,” an unnamed witness told the Russian news agency. “Then he went to the dance floor and fired it.”
