A late 17th century mansion in Moscow’s Maly Znamensky Lane caught fire, near the Lopukhins’ residence with the Pushkin Museum opposite the street. The Moscow Department of Emergencies reported that the blaze began at Maly Znamensky Lane, house 3/5, building 4, where the Lopukhins’ mansion stands, a landmark connected to cultural heritage.
According to emergency services, the ignition originated in the ceilings between the second floor and the attic. The fire expanded from about 10 square meters to roughly 50 square meters, and at the height of firefighting around 40 square meters of ceiling had already collapsed.
A firefighter sustained injuries during the extinguishing operations after a collapse. He was treated at the scene and then admitted to hospital, with bruising and rib concerns noted, and was sent to a medical facility for further assessment.
The incident prompted the closure of traffic on Maly Znamensky Lane while responders worked. By 10:16 Moscow time the fire was fully extinguished, with crews continuing to remove debris and monitor any hot spots.
The Khamovniki inter-district prosecutor’s office announced its oversight of all circumstances and causes related to the fire. The Lopukhins estate is recognized as a federal cultural heritage site, dating to the 18th century with rooms originating from the 17th century. City cultural heritage officials were dispatched to the scene to assess damage and to issue guidance on compliance and protective measures.
Possible causes are under review. The emergency service indicated that an electrical fault is among the leading theories. The mansion had been closed for reconstruction, and there was no ongoing work at the time of the fire. Preliminary data point to a potential short circuit, while other possibilities, including human factors, are also being examined.
Ownership details show that the Lopukhins estate is not part of the Pushkin Museum and is connected to the International Roerichs Center. The Pushkin Museum stated that the Lopukhins property does not belong to them, and normal museum operations continued. A representative noted that the Roerich organization had previously been evacuated from the site by cultural authorities in 2017, and that the property has since been under different management. The center reportedly restored the building with private funds to house a Roerich museum, which has operated there for more than two decades. It was voiced that the building’s neglect over the years may have contributed to the fire, underscoring the need for ongoing maintenance of a 17th-century monument. TheRoerichs’ spokesperson suggested that if the site had remained under their international leadership, the incident might have unfolded differently.
Regarding the building’s history, the estate was erected at the end of the 17th century in the White City area by Fyodor Lopukhin, the father of Peter I’s first wife. After the Revolution, the property came under state control and housed a branch of a major cultural institution during the 1960s. In 1993, a Roerich museum opened on the site following renovations. In 2015 the property was classified as federal property and placed under the Museums of the East for operation. The Roerich Center vacated the building in 2017, and by 2019 the complex came under the use of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, with the Roerich Museum moving to a new location. A 2020 commission noted urgent restoration needs for the estate, and renovations followed thereafter.
Cited sources include official statements from city authorities and cultural heritage bodies, detailing ownership changes, oversight, and ongoing restoration plans. The incident underscores the importance of careful stewardship for a site that blends architectural significance with the cultural memory of multiple institutions.