Fire extinguished in St. Petersburg

Strong fire was extinguished last night in St. Petersburg, the second major Russian city. The fire began at 1.30 am, Moscow time, in the building of a former printed calico factory on the Vasilyevsky island, the city's historical district. According to the latest information, two people died during the fire, another four were hospitalised.

The fire was extinguished within seven hours, but its cause is yet unknown.

RIA Novosti was told in the city's fire-fighting service that it is not known so far who was the owner of the burnt building. According to preliminary information, a private furniture producing company was leasing it.