// Общество • № 72 (6926) • 22 мая 2009 года • Пятница
A natural gas explosion has occurred in the region’s capital again. This time the emergency happened in a 9-story house on Dikopoltceva Street, 45.
“The kiosk where I work is located right in front of that house,” says Elena, a vendor, “I was sitting, serving a customer when I heard a rumble. I ran outside and there was a fire on the ninth floor. Gas exploded. You know, firemen arrived very quickly, three cars, and an emergency car, too.”
“I stepped out of my bathroom, and at that time there was a very strong shake. My first thought was that it was an earthquake,” says Natalia, a neighbor, who is still shaking up after what had happened. “I looked out the window, saw two men on the ninth floor of the house. They were trying to get out of the windows from which a lot of smoke was coming out, and they were screaming for help. I got scared because I couldn’t help them in any way. I grabbed my son, and we ran to the street.”
…After 5 p.m., when the firemen had nearly extinguished the fire, the view by the house #45 was not one of the prettiest: piles of broken glass, bricks and balcony railings; wet walls of the house and sidewalks, and on top, the ninth floor was gaping with three darkened windows .
As reported by the Khabarovski Krai Ministry of the Interior, the fire was contained at 5.12 p.m., and eliminated at 5.30 p.m.
“From what we know now, – a vice-chief of the head quarters of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies in Khabarovski krai Oleg Volynkin reports from the emergency site, “there was an explosion of a gas mixture. Three individuals were injured, all three are hospitalized. Two apartments – #35 and 36 were affected. 20 people were evacuated. The fire spread over the area of 50 square meters.”
As reported from the Second Krai Hospital, one of the victims, a 26-year-old man who suffered 100% burns, is now in reanimation in critical condition. Two other victims are also in the hospital, diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning.
To regret, this is fourth from the beginning of the year gas-related emergency with victims in Khabarovsk. Last case was reported just a month ago – in a house on Pervomaiskaya Street. Two previous ones happened on January, 18th in a private house on Irkutskaya Street, and on March 11th, in a 5-story building on Artemovskaya Street. Alarming statistics.
