The three-story Caspi Expo exhibition center in Kaspiysk, Dagestan, became the scene of a serious fire in the afternoon. The complex hosts exhibitions and various retail outlets during events, and flames quickly spread across parts of the site. Officials later confirmed that the blaze was completely extinguished. It was reported that the fire was put out by 19:00 on that day, concluding a tense operation. Fire crews arrived promptly, established a secure perimeter, and began cooling zones to prevent rekindling. The response involved a rapid, coordinated effort among local fire services and rescue units, reflecting the region’s readiness to handle large facility fires. Authorities did not report fatalities in the update, and the emphasis remained on extinguishment and securing the premises for subsequent assessment.
The fire spread to the second floor of the Pir shopping building adjacent to Caspi Expo. The flames damaged sections housing home appliances and a wholesale outlet of soft toys, causing significant material losses. The firefighting operation mobilized 78 personnel and 23 units of equipment. During the response, one of the three rescuers sustained burns and was hospitalized, while the other two received treatment at the scene. All three responders were reported to have inhaled carbon monoxide during the operation. Firefighters executed a layered approach to suppress the blaze, protecting neighboring retail spaces and preventing a wider spread into other parts of the complex. The scene necessitated careful handling of electrical and heat sources to avoid secondary hazards while teams worked to extinguish pockets of fire that persisted in the more insulated areas of the building.
Officials later provided a timeline for containment: by around 14:26 the fire had been localized, and efforts to prevent open burning were underway over an area of about 700 square meters. An hour later, additional measures were taken to strengthen containment and monitor for rekindling as the outer shell cooled and crews shifted to post-fire surveillance. The measure of success in confining the blaze to a defined zone allowed authorities to reallocate resources and intensify monitoring, reducing the risk of flare-ups as the structure cooled. Firefighting operations continued into the late afternoon and early evening as crews worked to ensure there were no hidden hotspots that could reignite once air began to circulate more freely through the building. The scale of the firefighting operation underscored the challenges of extinguishing fires within multi-story commercial facilities where inventory and electrical systems can feed a rapid, aggressive flame front.
A local resident later offered an account of what might have sparked the Caspi Expo blaze, contributing to public speculation about the incident. While investigators continue their work, the report underscores the importance of strict safety protocols in exhibition centers and retail complexes, particularly in Dagestan where such venues host large crowds and diverse merchandise. The case will be reviewed by authorities to identify any contributing factors and to reinforce preventive measures for similar facilities in the region. The Caspi Expo fire serves as a reminder of the need for robust emergency readiness, effective communication with the public during a crisis, and the ongoing evaluation of fire safety standards across large event spaces.