COURT DETAINS LADY FOR DEATH OF 64 PEOPLE IN FIRE AT WINTER CHERRY MALL COMPLEX

MOSCOW, Russia – Nadezhda Suddenok, renter of Winter Cherry Mall complex where at least 64 people were killed in a rare fire incident has been detaind by a Zimnyaya Vishnya Zavodsky Court of Kemerovo.She will remain in prison custody until May 25, the press-service of the court told RAPSI.

The court is also reviewing a motion to detain four other defendants: a renter of a place where the fire allegedly began, a CEO and an employee in an organization maintaining the fire alarm and a guard who allegedly turned off the emergency notification system when he received a fire signal.

Not less than 65 people lost their lives when fire razed the complex in March 25. Investigators reported that 64 persons including children were killed in the accident. A criminal case has been launched over involuntary manslaughter, violation of fire safety regulations that left more than two persons dead and provisions of services that don’t meet safety requirements.

So far about 70 persons have been interogated following reports that fire exits were blocked.

According to the Investigative Committee Chairman Alexander Bastrykin, the two main versions of the tragedy are an electrical short circuit and burning. Investigators noted that fire alarm was inactive since March 19.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared March 28 a national day of mourning as the deceased are laid to rest.