THREE SISTERS KILLED IN SHOPPING CENTRE FIRE AS PANICKED CUSTOMERS JUMP FROM WINDOWS TO ESCAPE FLAMES

STERLITAMAK, RUSSIA — Three sisters were among four people killed after a devastating fire tore through a shopping centre in the Russian city of Sterlitamak, forcing terrified customers to jump from upper-floor windows as thick black smoke filled the building.

The victims were identified as Elena Egorova, 45, Viktoria Samigullina, 34, and Elizaveta Musina, 29.

The sisters had reportedly gone to the shopping centre to choose a birthday present for their mother when the fire broke out.

At least four people were killed and several others were injured, while 17 people were evacuated from the building, according to reports from Russian authorities and local media.

SHOPPERS TRAPPED ABOVE THE FLAMES

The fire broke out at the Solnechny shopping and services complex in Sterlitamak, in Russia’s Republic of Bashkortostan.

As flames and smoke spread through the building, shoppers on the upper floors became trapped.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as people appeared at windows, calling for help from those gathered outside.

Some customers were forced to make desperate jumps from considerable heights to escape the smoke and flames.

Videos from the scene showed people jumping from windows while people on the ground attempted to help by holding out sheets.

Some of the windows were reportedly around 25 to 35 feet above ground level.

PASSERS-BY RUSHED TO HELP

People outside the building improvised rescue attempts while waiting for emergency crews.

One truck driver who had stopped near the shopping centre said he heard people crying for help shortly after he parked to unload goods.

He reportedly moved his vehicle underneath a high window, allowing a ladder to be positioned so that people could climb down.

Two women were helped from the building using the improvised arrangement.

Other members of the public reportedly used sheets and other materials to try to break the falls of people escaping through windows.

The desperate rescue attempts themselves became dangerous.

One witness described seeing a woman fall from a ladder onto a man standing below.

“It was horrific,” the witness said, according to reports.

SEVERAL PEOPLE SERIOUSLY INJURED

The fire left several people requiring medical treatment.

Among those injured was reportedly a 17-year-old girl, who suffered serious carbon-monoxide poisoning and fractures while helping others escape.

A 35-year-old woman was also reported to have suffered severe smoke inhalation and was placed in a coma.

Other injured people were taken to hospital, with later reports putting the total number of injured at nine.

A number of people reportedly suffered injuries after jumping or climbing down from the upper floors.

QUESTIONS OVER THE FIRE ALARM

The circumstances surrounding the fire are now under investigation.

Some witnesses told local media that the building’s fire alarm may not have sounded when the blaze began.

The complex’s management has reportedly disputed claims that the alarm system failed.

The precise cause of the fire has also not been definitively established.

One preliminary report suggested that an electrical short circuit may have been involved, but authorities have not yet completed their investigation.

A criminal investigation has been opened over allegations concerning the deaths of multiple people through negligence.

THREE SISTERS AMONG THE DEAD

The deaths of Elena, Viktoria and Elizaveta have added an especially painful dimension to the tragedy.

The three sisters had reportedly been together at the shopping centre while looking for a birthday gift for their mother.

Instead, the family was left mourning all three women.

Their deaths have drawn attention to the scale of the tragedy and the desperate circumstances inside the building as shoppers attempted to escape.

A fourth woman was also killed in the blaze.

FIRE CREWS RESPONDED TO THE SCENE

Emergency crews were eventually deployed to tackle the fire and evacuate people from the building.

The shopping centre is housed in a four-storey brick building containing shops and service businesses.

Seventeen people were evacuated from the premises, according to Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry as reported by Meduza.

The blaze sent thick smoke pouring from windows, while people trapped inside desperately tried to attract the attention of those outside.

The dramatic scenes were captured on video and quickly circulated online.

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries.

Investigators are expected to examine the building’s fire-safety systems, evacuation procedures and the circumstances in which the blaze spread.

Questions have also been raised over reports of a possible delay in firefighters reaching the scene, although claims about the reasons for any delay remain disputed and are part of the wider reporting surrounding the incident.

The investigation will ultimately determine how the fire started and whether any safety failures contributed to the deaths.

A FAMILY CELEBRATION TURNED INTO TRAGEDY

What was reportedly supposed to be a simple shopping trip for their mother’s birthday became a devastating tragedy for one family.

Elena, Viktoria and Elizaveta had gone to the shopping centre together.

Hours later, their family was mourning the loss of three sisters.

For the survivors who escaped by jumping from windows and for the witnesses who rushed to help them, the fire has left a lasting impact.

Authorities continue to investigate the disaster as families wait for answers about how the deadly blaze unfolded.