The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has opened a criminal case following the fire at the Wildberries warehouse in Shusary, near St. Petersburg. Local media reports indicate that the case is being conducted under Part 1 of Article 201 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which covers abuse of power; the maximum penalty for this charge can reach up to four years in prison. This development was first reported by Fontanka, a notable investigative outlet.
The incident occurred on January 13, with workers present at the site when the blaze began. A total of 1,617 people had to be evacuated due to the emergency, and the fire area was reported to cover about 70,000 square meters according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Officials stated that the fire was still active and under control status remained a focal point for responders at the time of the latest official briefings.
On the following day, January 14, rescue teams continued efforts to fully extinguish the flames and dampen the burning sections of the warehouse complex. The ongoing phase of firefighting highlighted the challenges of containing a large-scale storage facility fire and the necessary coordination between firefighting units and site management to ensure safety and protect surrounding infrastructure.
In a separate development, representatives of the Wildberries marketplace indicated that the company plans to open a new sorting center in St. Petersburg. Officials say the facility is expected to begin operations within the next two weeks. The anticipated center is described as a strategic addition intended to alleviate congestion at the existing Utkina Zavod warehouse and streamline logistics for the company’s growing e-commerce operations in the region. While this expansion underscores ongoing investment in the local supply chain, it also emphasizes the broader impact such facilities have on distribution networks and regional employment.
Earlier statements from Wildberries identified three potential factors that could have contributed to the St. Petersburg warehouse fire, though investigators have not conclusively determined a single cause. The inquiry continues as authorities review security protocols, equipment functionality, and potential human factors within the facility. Industry observers note that large distribution centers involve complex fire prevention measures, including rigorous monitoring systems, rapid response protocols, and ongoing staff training to minimize risk in high-activity environments. The case remains a developing story, with updates anticipated as investigative teams gather additional evidence and assess the situation in the context of regional safety standards and regulatory requirements.