Fire rips through mall in Russia; 4 injured

A fire tore through the exterior of a shopping mall in Kaliningrad, Russia, injuring 4 people and forcing the evacuation of about 140 others, according to regional officials and videos from the scene.

The fire broke out at the Giant shopping mall on Sunday, where emergency officials said crews arrived to find the facade burning. The blaze spread across about 1,000 square meters (10,764 square feet), running up the exterior cladding and setting nearby parked cars on fire.

Videos circulating on social media showed heavy smoke pouring from the building as people rushed out. Flames quickly spread across much of the front of the mall.

According to officials, mall staff managed to evacuate everyone inside, about 140 people in total. Besprozvannykh said 2 firefighters were taken to the hospital after needing medical attention, but both were later released.

Officials also said 2 other people were injured. Of the 2 people hospitalized, one was already being discharged, while the other was expected to undergo treatment.

Kaliningrad region governor Alexey Besprozvannykh said strong wind gusts helped the fire spread. The cause of the fire is under investigation.