Fire at Sadovod Market in Moscow: Timeline, Impact and Response
Around noon local time, a significant blaze broke out at the Sadovod market in Moscow, with emergency services reporting extensive activity. Several pavilions on rows 19 and 20 were engulfed as flames spread. Initial estimates placed the fire at 350 square meters, but the area soon grew to about 600 square meters as the situation developed.
Representatives from the Ministry of Emergency Situations later confirmed that goods were burning in adjacent three-level storage containers. In total, approximately 350 people were evacuated from the market as authorities worked to manage the emergency amid densely built surroundings. Fire crews faced the challenge of protecting nearby residences, often requiring the dismantling of neighboring structures to prevent further spread. The incident elevated to a second level of difficulty, one tier below the highest level, indicating a serious but controlled threat.
Initial reports cited the location on line 19, an area known for the sale of trousers and jeans. Vendors interviewed by local media suggested a possible short circuit as the cause. The market store owner stated that an electrical outlet in the room began sparking on the morning of December 1, contributing to the ignition.
One seller noted the abundance of hanging lamps and steamers, explaining that frequent use of switches could easily trigger a short circuit. Reports from Tajikistan’s representatives indicated that Tajik business owners at the market sustained no injuries, and the total scale of damages remained under assessment at that time.
To combat the fire, firefighters deployed more than 170 personnel and 48 pieces of equipment, utilizing an innovative Cobra system that allows extinguishing a fire through a wall without breaching interior spaces. The system releases a water mixture with abrasive particles under high pressure, delivering a broad jet to suppress the blaze quickly and efficiently.
Despite dense smoke and the intensity of the flames, operations continued on other sections of the market. An outlet owner cited by a local outlet reported that only one line at the Gardener section had been closed by responders, while the rest of the market remained accessible to customers and workers alike.
On social channels, observers noted that the Gardener area had been cordoned off to prevent merchants from returning and attempting to retrieve goods from the fire zone. Fire crews maintained a steady presence as they worked to contain the blaze and protect surrounding structures.
By 15:30 local time, firefighters had successfully prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent areas. Early evening reports indicated that the fire was fully extinguished by about 17:00 local time, with work focused on ensuring no rekindling occurred and assessing remaining hot spots.
Regarding casualties, two individuals sustained injuries in the incident. One seller, while attempting to salvage items, inhaled smoke and required medical attention. There were also reports of injuries among firefighters, including a 22-year-old rescuer who reportedly fell from a rooftop and was hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury. These developments were tracked by local news channels and social feeds as the situation evolved.
This event marks the third major blaze at the Gardener section this year, following fires on May 27 and June 13, which affected smaller areas of 50 and 30 square meters respectively. The Gardener complex itself spans a substantial footprint, with the market operator, according to Market Press Service, planning to clear residual effects by the weekend, after which Sadovod would resume operations as normal. Market observers note the gradual return to routine as the area undergoes safety checks and repairs following the fire.