Probes launched in professional misconduct of officials in response to wildfires in Irkutsk Region


The Irkutsk Region Office of the Investigative Committee has opened an investigation in negligence of officials in Zima District, Irkutsk Region responsible for fighting wildfires under Part 1 of Article 293 of the RF Penal Code.

According to investigators, a report was received on 28 April that several houses caught fire from dry grass fires in the settlement of Bolsherastyagayevsky, Ukhtui municipality, Zima District. 7 houses were burned down that day, which became possible because officials of the Zima District Administration had failed to properly organize timely suppression of wildfires.

Another negligence investigation has been opened after officials of the Zony municipality administration, Alarsky District failed to take basic fire safety measures in the village of Vershina, Alarsky District, which resulted in burning 8 houses and 1 shop and leaving 17 people without home or property.

Some structures near an apartment building caught fire from a dry grass fire on 28 April in the town of Siyansk and then the building caught fire as well. The fire burned the roof completely, 6 flats and damaged other residential and non-residential spaces. 38 people were evacuated. No-one was hurt. That became possible due to violations of requirements stated in legal acts of officials of Irkutsk Region 5th team of the Federal Fire Service. According to investigators, despite crucial fire situation in the town of Sayansk, aware that there are fires and the threat of a fire spreading to an apartment building by the officials of the Irkutsk Region 5th team of the Federal Fire Service failed to give adequate assessment of the incoming information or to dispatch firefighters to the fire site. Therefore the Irkutsk Region Office of the Investigative Committee launched an investigation in negligence under Part 1 of Article 293 of the RF Penal Code.

At present, the investigators are working to find out all the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation is ongoing. 

02 May 2017 12:16

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