Mariinsky fire seclared an arson

Criminal charges have been prepared in the case of the fire in the workshop building of the Mariinsky Theater. The investigation has been conducted by detectives of the Admiralty Unit of the Saint Petersburg District of the Department of Internal Affairs. As learned by Rosbalt from the investigative section, the criminal case cites Article 167, chapter 2 of the criminal code (deliberate destruction of or damage to property). The case is based on the finding by arson specialists that the source of the blaze was brought into the theater from outside and that the was arson. The investigators are now checking for possible connections to the crime among a number of people. There are as yet no suspects or accused.

The fire in the workshop building occurred on the night of September 5. The fire destroyed one-of-a-kind stage props and settings from early in the 20th century made by the famed Russian artists Korovin and Surikov. The theater's property was not insured. The value of the building where the fire occurred is listed as approximately USD 233 thousand. Mikhail Shvydkoi, Russia's minister of culture, has stated that fire caused damages amounting to about USD 6.6 million.