MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. The number of horses killed in a fire that broke out in a stable on Losiny Island in eastern Moscow has increased to 16, the capital's prosecutor's office told reporters.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry earlier reported that eight horses had died.

"It is preliminarily ascertained that 16 horses died as a result of the fire. The Prosecutor's Office of the Eastern Administrative District is in charge of determining the circumstances and causes of the incident. The investigation will proceed on this basis," the ministry said.

The report about the fire in the stables was received by the Emergencies Ministry too late. As the operational services clarified to TASS, firefighters arrived on the scene within seven minutes, but by that time the roof of the stable had already collapsed. "According to preliminary data, there were no heaters in the burned building. The cause of the fire is being clarified," the representative added. According to him, as cleanup efforts continue, the number of dead animals may increase.

A fire in a stable on Losiny Island occurred on the morning of December 13. Its area amounted to 100 square meters. Five horses were saved.