The massive fire in Khimki, which is close to the Russian capital of Moscow, destroyed the entire shopping centre.
One of the biggest shopping malls in Moscow was completely destroyed by a massive fire that claimed at least one life.
According to authorities, the fire broke out in the Mega shopping centre in Khimki, northwest of the Russian capital, and covered an area of about 7,000 square metres.
Firefighters’ attempts to put out the flames were hampered because the fire caused part of the building to collapse.
It broke out before the centre opened to customers.
Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, said it was looking into the cause of the fire.
Officials initially said arson may have been involved.
But, authorities later said the blaze appeared to have been sparked by welding that apparently violated safety regulations, with a probe launched.
The shopping centre used to house a number of Western shops, including IKEA, before the chains pulled out of Russia in the wake of the Ukraine conflict.