Tram Fire in St. Petersburg Prompts Passenger Evacuation and Quick Emergency Response
A city tram in the Primorsky district of St. Petersburg caught fire, but all passengers managed to disembark safely. This was confirmed by the press service of the city’s Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergencies. The incident began early on a morning shift, and local authorities reported that passengers left the tram without harm as a precautionary measure while the crew worked to ensure everyone was clear of the vehicle.
According to official statements, the alarm was raised at 06:39 local time in the Primorsky region near Pokrysheva Street. The fire affected tram line 48, with the fire spreading across a large portion of the carriage. Firefighters arrived promptly and brought the blaze under control, with extinguishing operations completed by 07:05. The quick response helped prevent injuries and minimized disruption to the rest of the line. The authorities noted that the incident is being treated as a possibly electrical short circuit causing the fire. In total, two fire brigades and about ten rescuers were dispatched to the scene to manage the situation and secure the area.
Social media and community pages, including a post from the Road Inspector group, provided additional details about the event. Eyewitness accounts described the moment passengers smelled smoke as they approached the entrance near the Chernaya Rechka metro station. Some travelers were advised to leave the tram and move away from the cabin as the fire intensified. After the passengers disembarked, the tram reportedly continued to move toward a park area but could not reach it due to the ongoing flames. The incident underscores the importance of swift evacuation procedures and clear communication from transit teams during emergencies. The Ministry of Emergencies confirmed the presence of dedicated response teams and outlined the steps taken to prevent further danger and to ensure public safety in the surrounding neighborhoods.
In a separate incident requiring emergency attention, a passenger bus near Anapa caught fire while carrying dozens of people. Witness videos circulated on social networks showing the bus stopped along the route from Gai-Kodzor to the village of Varvarovka, with flames visible inside the cabin. Fire crews were photographed working at the scene, and several passengers appeared to be fleeing to a safe distance as flames expanded. Reports indicate that some passengers were within the vehicle when the fire began, including children. Emergency responders coordinated efforts to extinguish the fire and assess the risk to nearby residents, emphasizing the need for quick egress and orderly evacuation to minimize harm to passengers on board. The situation highlights the dangers of in-vehicle fires and the importance of having fire suppression resources readily available for transit routes along busy corridors.
Additionally, initial reports described a collision involving a high-speed train near Yaroslavl. Details remain at the early stage, but authorities are prioritizing on-site safety, passenger welfare, and a thorough investigation to determine the causes and prevent recurrence. Investigators are expected to document the sequence of events, assess signaling and braking systems, and review maintenance records to identify any contributing factors. As with other incidents, emergency services continue to monitor the area, support affected travelers, and coordinate with rail operators to resume service once it is safe to do so. The overarching lesson from these events is the critical importance of rapid response, clear passenger instructions, and robust safety measures across all modes of transportation to protect lives in urban and regional networks.