VLADIMIR, Central Russia () -- A fire swept through a huge department store in Vladimir, forcing several shoppers to stumble out on the street choking, Itar-Tass reported.


No fatalities were immediately reported, but several shoppers who fainted from the smoke received oxygen from medics.


Eleven fire trucks rushed to Vladimir's Central Department Store and spent three hours extinguishing the blaze Sunday afternoon, Itar-Tass said.


The fire broke out in the household appliances department, and destroyed most of the second floor.


An investigation into the cause of the blaze is under way, the news agency said.