An accident on a Yaroslavl highway near Vorobino led to a fuel spill and a fire that damaged nearby homes
Earlier this week, a serious traffic crash occurred on the Kostroma highway in the Yaroslavl district, near the village of Vorobino. A fuel truck collided with an ambulance and a passenger car, triggering a spill that ignited and spread to two adjacent residential buildings.
Preliminary information indicates that three people lost their lives in the incident. All were members of the ambulance crew responding to a call when the crash occurred. Emergency services confirmed the fatalities and noted that the fire also threatened nearby homes as it raged through the spill from the fuel truck.
Officials described the scene as a grave accident that involved a fuel vehicle, a passenger car, and an ambulance on duty. The fire quickly spread as the spilled fuel ignited, with flames reaching the neighboring houses. Authorities stated that the entire ambulance crew died in the event, a loss acknowledged by regional officials via the local telegram channel. [RBC] The deputy head of the district expressed condolences to the families and promised support as investigators began their work on the case. He added that at present there are no threats to residents and that a large number of firefighters remain on site tackling the blaze. [Interfax]
Meanwhile, updates from the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergencies in the Yaroslavl region indicated that final casualty figures would be determined after the fire was extinguished. Early statements noted that the fuel truck continued to burn while rescue teams worked to prevent further spread. [76.RU]
The district administration reported that a criminal case has been opened in connection with violations related to life safety and consumer health protection, as well as negligent results leading to deaths. An additional inspection by the prosecutor is also underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy. [Interfax]
Residents who witnessed the aftermath shared their recollections. One local described the moment of the crash as a loud roar followed by suffocating smoke and visible flames. He recalled seeing a fuel truck crash into an ambulance, then collide with a fence before burning out of control. [76.RU]
Another eyewitness captured the atmosphere on social media, noting the urgency as emergency teams arrived and as residents faced a rapidly changing scene. Descriptions highlighted the chaos and the rapid response of fire crews as they battled the blaze. [LIVE in Yaroslavl]
As the investigation progressed, authorities reported that the fire spread to two houses with a combined area of approximately 200 square meters. Firefighting units and equipment were deployed in significant numbers to contain the flames and prevent any further spread. The incident scene remained under careful control as responders worked to secure the area and ensure public safety. [Rambler]
Witness accounts described substantial damage to the properties affected by the blaze. In one affected yard, a couple living in a burned-out home lost almost all of their belongings, including important documents. Neighbors began coordinating offers of shelter and basic necessities while the housing situation was being assessed. The local community reportedly stepped forward to help those displaced by the fire as investigators evaluated the full impact of the accident. [76.RU]
Today, authorities continue to piece together the sequence of events that led to the collision and the subsequent ignition. The focus remains on ensuring accountability, supporting the families of the victims, and strengthening safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The ongoing response includes a large-scale firefighting operation, ongoing casualty assessments, and collaboration between regional agencies to manage the post-incident recovery process. [RBC]