A massive fire has engulfed one of Moscow’s biggest shopping malls, killing at least one person.
The fire spread over an area of approximately 7,000 m² in the Mega shopping center in Khimki, northwest of the Russian capital, authorities said.
The fire caused part of the building to collapse, hampering firefighters’ efforts to fight the flames.
It erupted before the center opened to customers.
Russia’s Investigative Committee, which investigates major crimes, said it was investigating the cause of the fire.
Officials initially said arson may have been involved.
But, authorities later said the fire appeared to have been started by welding that apparently violated safety regulations, with the launch of a probe.
The mall housed a number of Western stores, including IKEA, before the chains pulled out of Russia following the Ukraine conflict.
