Michael music equipment destroyed in fire

Musical equipment belonging to George Michael was destroyed in a fire following his performance for Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin.

The blaze started at the venue in Moscow where George played the lavish New Year's Eve concert.

His publicist, Connie Filipello, said the value of the damage to his possessions had yet to be determined. The singer received a reported £1.5m (€2.2m) to play the show, where he performed to 300 guests at a private estate.

Apparently equipment destroyed included a 42 inch plasma screen and a host of musical instruments.

It also suggested the fire may have been started by left-over pyrotechnics from the show and gear was damaged not just by the flames but also by water from the fire crews.