Fire in Russian Aerospace-Defense Research Institute Building, Six Dead

A fire in the building that houses the Russian Central Research Institute of Aerospace Defense in the city of Tver on Thursday has killed six and injured 13 persons.

Russian media reported that a criminal case has been opened to ascertain the cause of the fire in the building that partly had wooden structures.

The fire has been put out by Thursday evening, Interfax reported quoting an informed source, "At the moment, the burnt structures are being poured with water and they are being dismantled."

The fire broke out on Thursday in one of the offices of the military institute. According to preliminary data, the fire area was 2.5 thousand square meters.

The building was built in 1947 with wooden ceilings.

Preliminary information suggests the fire was caused by faulty electric wiring, the TASS state news agency said.

The defence ministry said the institute focuses on research related to Russian air and space defense, as well as the development of new anti-aircraft systems.