As reported by the state news agency TASS, which cited emergency services, Russia has rejected allegations of a fire at the Ministry of Defence building in central Moscow after the agency claimed that a blaze had started on the balcony.
An emergency services source was first quoted by TASS as stating, “A fire broke-out on a balcony at the Ministry of Defence building on Frunzenskaya Naberezhnaya,” adding that emergency services are on the site.
Later, according to local officials, the building had no sign of a fire, according to TASS.
“The presence of a fire has not been confirmed, as no fire was detected by the fire brigade upon arrival. Neither is there any information about victims,” TASS quoted Moscow’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Video seen by CNN showed smoke surrounding the Defense Ministry building and a woman heard saying, “The smell of burning is horrible.”
Earlier this month, a small explosion apparently caused by two drones took place at the Kremlin, which Moscow described at the time as an attempt on the life of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This is a developing story.