Mass Fires in Krasnoyarsk Territory Prompt Detentions and Ongoing Investigations

Three people were detained as criminal cases were opened in connection with the mass fires that swept through numerous cities and districts in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, according to the Regional Investigative Committee. The investigation indicates that on May 7 dry grass ignited due to a short circuit in electrical wiring, aided by a strong wind along power lines. With fierce winds driving the flames, the fire spread across sixty settlements in the region, bringing extensive destruction and loss. Preliminary data show that 827 buildings were burned, including 518 residential structures and 9 social institutions, and eight people lost their lives. The cases are being pursued under several provisions of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, including sections dealing with negligence resulting in the death of two or more individuals, as well as offenses tied to causing death by negligence and violations of safety requirements for life and health of consumers. The authorities specified the charges as part of ongoing investigations, concentrating on those whose actions or omissions may have contributed to the fatalities and damage. In Talazhanka village, two women and a man died; in Nikolsk village, a man and a woman perished; a woman died in Zaozerny town; and two more women died in Ashpatsk and Kurai villages. As investigators advance with homicide by negligence cases, a foreman at the Kazachinsky Distribution District division of the PJSC RossetiSibir Krasnoyarskenergo branch was detained, with house arrest chosen as the restraint measure. Additional detainees include the head of the RossetiSibir Rybinsk Distribution Region’s production department and a senior official in the Electrical Grids Dzerzhinsky District, a Krasnoyarskenergo subdivision. The head of the district’s electrical networks department provided a description of the ongoing actions. Searches were conducted at facilities associated with the YEK, and the complete set of incident circumstances has been identified through these investigations. Earlier reports indicated seven deaths at the outset of the incident, with the updated figure reflecting eight fatalities and widespread property loss. Destination or casualty figures are corroborated by the investigative committee, which emphasizes the ongoing nature of the inquiry and the coordination among regional divisions to determine all contributing factors. This response reflects a methodical, multi-agency effort to document and verify the sequence of events, identify responsible actors, and understand the mechanisms that allowed the fire to spread so rapidly across a large geographic area. The investigation continues to assess the adequacy of emergency responses, infrastructure resilience, and regulatory compliance, aiming to establish a clear evidentiary record for legal proceedings and for public safety improvements in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The Regional Investigative Committee notes that the inquiry remains active and evolving, with authorities committed to a thorough, transparent process that will disclose every factor linked to the tragedy. The findings will be shared as the inquiry advances and official determinations are made. Source: Regional Investigative Committee.