Indoor Bonfire Causes Fatal Hostel Fire for Cuban Migrants
On the morning of January 27, a three-story cottage caught fire in Balashikha, Moscow region. A 15-year-old teenager was injured in the fire and taken to the hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Investigative Committee«s Main Investigative Directorate for Moscow Region. Six people in total were evacuated from the building.
After the fire was extinguished, the bodies of four people were found in one of the rooms: two men and two women. According to preliminary information, the deceased may be labor migrants from Cuba.
As reported by the Investigative Committee, the cause of the incident may have been careless handling of fire. A source from REN TV in emergency services added that hostel residents were burning a bonfire indoors to keep warm. Allegedly, the electricity in the building was cut off due to non-payment.
Online information indicates that the cottage was rented out. According to data from advertising websites, the house has an area of 82 square meters, with 17 rooms in total.
«Bunk beds are available in rooms for 2, 4, 8 people, rooms are rented daily or monthly. The number of people is negotiable,» states the advertisement text.
The cost of one sleeping place per day was from 600 rubles (about $8 at current rates), a room could be rented from 1200 rubles (about $16). It is reported that the property owner lives abroad. Our colleagues from MSK1.RU tried to contact him, but he did not respond to journalists« messages.
A criminal case has been initiated under the article on causing death by negligence resulting in the death of two or more persons (Part 3 of Article 109 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The maximum penalty under this article is 4 years of imprisonment.
