A massive fire spread through online retailer Wildberries' warehouse in St. Petersburg on Saturday, Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said, without any reported casualties.
Fires are relatively common in Russia due to old infrastructure or non-compliance with safety standards.
"In total, the fire spread through 70,000 square meters," Igor Ulubikov, an official at the St. Petersburg branch of the Emergency Situations Ministry, said on Telegram.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control but were still working on extinguishing it.
Footage published by the ministry showed huge clouds of smoke billowing from destroyed, snowed-in buildings.
Almost 9 percent of Wildberries' orders were shipped from the warehouse, state-run agency RIA Novosti said, citing online retail expert Anton Bestugin.
The company owned by Russia's richest woman Tatyana Bakalchuk is one of the largest online marketplaces in the country and has enjoyed success across the former U.S.S.R.
It was founded in 2004 by Bakalchuk, who was then on maternity leave, together with her IT technician husband Vladislav.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
