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Fire at Moscow’s Federation Tower taken under control

“There is no risk of further spread of fire. It has been localised,” police told Itar-Tass

MOSCOW, April 2 (Itar-Tass) —— The fire at Moscow’s Federation Tower has been localised and taken under control.

“There is no risk of further spread of fire. It has been localised,” police told Itar-Tass.

The Emergencies Ministry confirmed that the fire has been localised, but the fire-fighting operation continues. It involves two helicopters.

Earlier this evening, the fire had spread from the initial 50 square metres to about 300 square metres.

The fire was spreading quickly due to strong wind at the top floors. It was feared that sparkles might reach the neighbouring buildings.

“The area affected by the fire has exceeded 300 square metres,” Deputy Head of the Emergencies Ministry’s Supervisory Department for Moscow, Major-General Sergei Anikeyev said.

“The 14 people who were at the top floors when the fire started have been evacuated. No one was hurt,” he said.

Fire-fighters had to use the staircases to get to the 560th floor as the power is still under construction and there are no elevators in the building.

A fire-fighting helicopter is also being used in the operation.

Initially the fire was blazing on an area of 50 square metres on the 66th and 67th floors.

The international Moscow City centre is being built on Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment in an area of about 60 hectares. It will include several towers, including the Federation Tower.

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