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

STERLITAMAK, RUSSIA — Three sisters who had gone shopping for a birthday present for their mother were among four people killed after a devastating fire tore through a shopping centre in Russia, forcing terrified customers to make desperate escapes from upper floors.

The blaze erupted at a shopping centre in Sterlitamak, Bashkortostan, sending thick black smoke pouring from windows and trapping people inside.

At least five people were injured, while 17 others were evacuated from the building.

THREE SISTERS CAUGHT IN THE BLAZE

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

The three sisters had reportedly gone to the shopping centre together to buy a birthday present for their mother.

Instead, they became trapped when the fire spread through the building.

A fourth woman also died in the blaze.

The tragedy has left the sisters’ family facing an unimaginable loss, with all three women dying during what was supposed to be an ordinary shopping trip.

SHOPPERS BEGGED FOR HELP

As the smoke filled the building, people trapped on the upper floors began desperately calling for help.

Witnesses described seeing people at windows as thick smoke poured from the shopping centre.

Some customers were forced to jump from windows from heights of up to around 35 feet in an attempt to escape the flames.

People on the ground rushed to help, stretching sheets beneath some of those attempting to escape.

Video from the scene showed the desperate rescue effort unfolding below the burning building.

DRIVER USES TRUCK TO HELP TWO WOMEN ESCAPE

One of the most remarkable rescue attempts involved a local truck driver who had been unloading goods nearby.

The driver reportedly heard people crying for help and saw individuals trapped on an upper floor.

He moved his vehicle underneath a window, creating a platform that allowed a ladder to reach people trapped above.

Two women were able to climb down to safety using the ladder.

The driver later recalled hearing cries for help and seeing lights from the windows before firefighters had arrived.

Another witness described the chaotic escape, saying one woman lost her footing while climbing down and fell onto a man below.

TEENAGER LEFT IN A COMA

Among those injured was a 17-year-old girl who was reportedly trying to help other people escape.

She suffered severe carbon monoxide poisoning and fractures and was left in a coma.

A 35-year-old woman was also reported to be in a coma after suffering severe smoke inhalation.

At least five people were injured overall, according to reports.

QUESTIONS OVER THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE

The fire also prompted questions about how quickly emergency crews reached the scene.

Witnesses reported that firefighters had not yet arrived when people were already trapped at windows and calling for help.

The Irish Sun reported claims that Russia’s fire service is facing a major staffing shortage, citing figures from the country’s Emergency Situations Ministry that put staffing at only 65.5 percent of the required level.

The newspaper also linked the shortage to personnel being recruited for Russia’s war in Ukraine and other staffing pressures.

Those claims concern wider fire-service staffing and should not be treated as an established cause of the specific delay at the Sterlitamak fire.

INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the blaze, including what caused the fire and how it spread through the shopping centre.

For the families of the victims, however, the investigation comes after an already devastating loss.

Three sisters had entered the shopping centre together to buy a birthday gift for their mother.

They never made it home.

What began as an ordinary family shopping trip ended with Elena, Viktoria and Elizaveta among four people killed in the fire, while others were forced into desperate attempts to escape the burning building.

The full circumstances of the tragedy remain under investigation.