MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The blaze started in the afternoon and was put out after hours of struggle. It was given the highest emergency level.
"There have been no casualties. Firefighters and rescuers saved eight people," a statement by the Russian Emergencies Ministry read.
Over 330 emergency workers battled the blaze that was localized by 4:30 p.m. local time and eventually extinguished by 6 p.m., according to Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.
Before being localized, the blaze spread over some 37,700 square feet and caused almost 13,000 square feet of the roof to collapse.
The affected building in Znamenka Street had been the Russian Defense Ministry's headquarters before it moved to new premises on the Moskva River. The old building was used for technological purposes and the emergency did not affect the ministry’s operations.
