Two people died in a fire at an apartment in southeast Moscow early on Monday, an emergencies services spokesman said.
He said the fire happened at 8:20 a.m. (04:20 GMT) and engulfed an area of some 60 square meters.
Rescue workers managed to save three people, but another two were "overcome by smoke and fumes," the spokesperson added.
There is no further information.
Russia has an appalling fire-safety record. Around 15,000 people die in fires across the country annually. In the United States, with more than twice the population, the figure is around 3,400 deaths a year.
MOSCOW, May 10 (RIA Novosti)
