Pavel (name changed), a resident of Engels, told socialbites.ca that after a gas explosion, the window of one of the apartments in a high-rise residence flew 30-40 meters away. According to him, a strong fire broke out after the explosion and a woman was standing on one of the balconies shouting for help.
“My family and I woke up from the explosion, looked out the window and immediately saw broken glass, probably flying 30-40 meters from the window frame. Then a fire caught my eye immediately, as if a woman stood on the balcony and said, “Help, fire!” It was on the balcony and as I understand it was closed from the exit. Then he disappeared, they hoped he had left, no more screaming. After 5-10 minutes of screaming, the ambulance came quickly. However, the Ministry of Emergencies was too late and arrived at the scene about 20 minutes after the ambulance arrived. The fire was very strong. It even fell a little on the 3rd floor and spread to the neighboring apartments, but it was extinguished in a short time. The explosion itself was on the 5th floor. A plume of smoke painted everything above the 5th floor black. “My friend lives in that house, he said he was doing his own thing at 5 am and it felt like the whole house was shaking,” he said.
Another eyewitness to the emergency, Andrei, noted that a woman was injured during the fire, who jumped from the fifth floor to the third floor and “miraculously” remained on it. He explained that he was filmed with the help of a fire truck with ladders and is now in serious condition.
“At around 4.31 in the morning there was a powerful explosion that brought all the houses to their feet. Sirens sounded outside. It was stated that the explosion was caused by a gas leak. Of course there was a fire. The fire was extinguished at around 05:00. Two members of the public were injured (a woman and a man, born 53 and 56). As a result of the fire, the victim jumped from the 5th floor to the 3rd floor. Miraculously it stayed on. He was then lowered down the fire escape. “I was in the back of the house when it was filmed, but according to rumors, her condition is severe, with severe burns, and the woman herself is in severe shock,” he stressed.
Earlier, it was learned that there was a gas explosion in Engels on Poltava Street in the morning, followed by a fire in an apartment on the fifth floor of a nine-story building.
Regional Health Minister Oleg Kostin reportedTwo people, a 69-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man, were injured. Both were diagnosed with thermo-inhalation and contusion trauma, severe burns, and third-degree shock.