Fire erupts at key Russian industrial site in Saint Petersburg

RBC-Ukraine reports this, citing the St. Petersburg Emergency Ministry.

The fire at St. Petersburg’s Avangard factory was reported online late the night before. Footage also surfaced showing thick black smoke rising above the city.

The cause of the fire at the facility has not been disclosed. Russian social media claimed the blaze is not related to a possible airstrike.

Local authorities have not revealed details of the incident. However, the St. Petersburg emergency department reported after the first night that firefighting efforts are underway at the production building.

“On the 5th floor of the 6-story building, a fire is burning over an area of 100 square meters. There are no reports of casualties,” the St. Petersburg Emergency Ministry statement says.

It was also reported that 11 units of equipment and 41 personnel were involved in extinguishing the fire.

Later, local emergency responders announced the fire at the Avangard factory had been contained.

“Work to fully extinguish the fire continues. The open flames have been eliminated,” the city’s Emergency Ministry representatives stated online.

Note: According to open sources, this scientific and production enterprise manufactures radio electronics, microcircuit technology, and instrument engineering, including basic load-bearing structures for radio-electronic equipment. JSC Avangard is listed among Russia’s strategic and system-forming enterprises and holds the status of a Federal Scientific and Production Center.