At least 8 people were killed in a fire in a large office building near the Russian capital Moscow. Regional Governor Andrey Vorobyov confirmed this information. One person was rescued alive after a fire broke out in a building in Fryazino, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) northeast of Moscow, emergency department officials told the state-owned Tass news agency.

Six people were killed when various things collapsed inside the office building in the fire. Apart from this, two others were killed due to fear and jumping from the window after the fire. Governor Andrey Vorobyov announced this information in a post on social media.

Various footages circulating online showed heavy smoke billowing from the top floor of the eight-story complex. There is debate as to what the building was used for. According to a report by the Tass news agency, it was once used for the Platan Research Institute and the defense industry.

Russian-owned electronics company Ruselectronics said the building has been privately owned since 1990. However, opposition media outlets have recently reported that Platan operations are still going on in the building by the end of 2023.

Governor Andrey Vorobyov said a 34-year-old man was taken to hospital in critical condition. Local emergency services said that so far only the man has been rescued from the fire alive. Besides, two firemen injured in the fire are also being treated.

Emergency ministry officials said two helicopters and more than 130 personnel have been deployed to fight the fire. It is not known how the fire started. However, an eyewitness told Tas News Agency that the fire started on the seventh floor of the building and later spread to other floors.

Andrey Vorobyov said that about 30 companies rented office space in the building. The two workers of the building have not been found in the fire. Not sure if they are alive or not.