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Search operation launched at household gas blast site in Bronnitsy

Four people, including 3 pensioners and a young man, are missing. All in all, 169 people live in that apartment building

MOSCOW, October 18 (Itar-Tass) — Rescuers have begun search work at the site of a household gas explosion in the town of Bronnitsy in the Moscow region, a source from the regional emergencies ministry department told Tass on Tuesday.

“Examination of the house as to its strength with the help of the Struna mobile diagnostic unit ended at 11:45, Moscow time,” the source said. It showed that there is no danger for further work. “At the present moment search work has begun,” he added.

The household gas blast hit the fourth floor of the apartment house at 42, Moskvoretskaya Street at 15:45, Moscow time, on Monday. A fire began after the explosion, engulfing 250 square meters. Besides, the blast damaged outside walls between the fourth and the fifth floors and the floor framing between the third and the fourth floors.

A regional police source told Itar-Tass that after the fire 21 flats were unfit for residence. Nine were completely destroyed. The fire was extinguished only at 09:55 Moscow time, on Tuesday.

According to the emergencies ministry, three people were injured, and one of them was hospitalised. Twelve people were evacuated. Four people, including three pensioners and a young man, are missing. All in all, 169 people live in that apartment building, and the whereabouts of 165 of them have been established. People stay at their relatives, and some were accommodated at places of temporary accommodation.

The regional authorities say that after emergency work at the site is finished, it will become clear whether the building can be restored.