15 killed in Russia cafe blaze after flare gun discharged

In this handout photo released by the Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, firefighters try to extinguish a fire at a cafe in Kostroma, Russia, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. Russia emergency officials said the fire killed multiple people in Kostroma, north of Moscow. (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)

A fire in a cafe in the Russian city of Kostroma killed 15 people on Saturday, emergency officials said.

The blaze erupted in the early hours after someone apparently used a flare gun during a dispute, authorities said.

Rescuers were able to evacuate 250 people. Kostroma is located roughly 340 kilometres (210 miles) north of Moscow.

The roof of the cafe collapsed during the fire. A criminal investigation has been launched, and the police are searching for the person who used the flare gun.