Authorities from Moscow’s Investigative Committee have detained a suspect tied to the hostel arson, the metropolitan SK press office confirmed. The arrest marks a new development as investigators continue to assemble the sequence of events surrounding a fire that sent shockwaves through the city and its districts.
The blaze broke out on February 21 at 21:20 in a 16-story building on Mezhdunarodnaya Street near Rimskaya metro station. The fire started on the fifth floor, and firefighting teams faced a challenging operation to suppress the flames while ensuring the safety of residents and nearby pedestrians. Tragically, seven people perished, including two children, highlighting the human toll and the impact on families and the wider community.
Early findings from investigators point to a possible act of personal hostility toward residents of the hostel, with the suspect described as having carried out the attack as a grievance against those living in the building. Authorities are examining these motives as part of the ongoing inquiry, pursuing all leads to uncover the full set of circumstances that produced the disaster.
In addition to the criminal investigation, forensic analyses and fire-technical examinations are planned for the near term. The studies aim to establish the precise cause of the fire, map the progression of events on the fifth floor, and confirm whether safety systems and evacuation procedures worked as intended. Witness testimonies will be gathered, and hostel management will be questioned to assemble a complete picture of the incident and any contributing factors that may have influenced the outcome.
Earlier updates indicated that officials would assess the organization responsible for managing the hostel in Moscow to determine compliance with safety regulations and oversight duties. The review seeks to identify potential gaps in safety management, building maintenance, and measures to protect residents to prevent a repeat of similar tragedies in the future. As the investigation continues, authorities emphasize a careful, methodical approach to collecting evidence and corroborating accounts from those affected and the staff responsible for building operations, including security protocols and emergency readiness. Attribution: Moscow Investigative Committee