MOSCOW, Aug. 1 — A fire that broke out overnight at Moscow’s iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral did not damage the cathedral’s interiors or religious relics, the State Historical Museum said.
Emergency services reported the blaze early Saturday, according to Russian news agency RIA Novosti. The fire broke out in a service room, involving personal belongings and furniture and affecting an area of about 10 square meters.
“The interior of the cathedral and its shrines were not affected. The fire alarm system functioned normally, and firefighters promptly extinguished the fire in a service area,” the museum’s press service said.
The museum added that the cathedral is operating as usual and is open to visitors on Saturday. Officially known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of Russia’s most recognizable landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
