Fire breaks out at gas pipeline in Perm Krai, Russia; six injured

Perm Krai Governor Dmitry Makhonin confirmed the incident, noting that several houses were ablaze in Kueda.

A fire incident unfolded near the village of Kuyeda in Perm Krai, Russia, as reported by Russian state-controlled media on February 8. According to Perm Krai Governor Dmitry Makhonin, the blaze led to injuries sustained by six people, with reports indicating that several houses in Kueda were engulfed in flames.

Local sources attribute the fire to an explosion at a gas pipeline, which subsequently ignited three tanks on a freight train, spreading to three residential buildings in the vicinity. Five individuals have been hospitalized due to burns, while one teenager received treatment for smoke inhalation, according to Russian Telegram channel Mash.

Contrary to initial reports, the official Telegram channel of Russian Railways refuted claims of a freight train fire in the Kuyeda area, asserting that the incident did not pertain to railway infrastructure and did not disrupt train operations.

This incident follows a series of recent fires and explosions in various Russian regions, including a reported fire at an oil depot in Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai, earlier this year. Notably, on January 21, explosions and fires were reported across several Russian regions, prompting speculation of a coordinated Ukrainian strike. Additionally, a fire broke out at a Novatek gas plant near St. Petersburg after an alleged drone attack, resulting in the plant's operational shutdown.

Perm Krai, located approximately 1,800 kilometers northeast of Ukrainian-held territory, has no reported indications of Ukrainian involvement in the incident. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. (ILKHA)