Three-year-old child died in a fire at the Aviator Mall in Tashkent Saturday, spokesperson to the Tashkent Emergency Situations Department Zukhriddin Kurbonov, told Milliy TV's Millar program this week.
There have been no reports of other casualties so far. The investigation is ongoing and CCTV footage is being reviewed, he added.
He confirmed that the fire originated on the second floor, where food service outlets and a children's playground are located. The Korzinka grocery store on the ground floor was not damaged.
Reportedly, the fire damaged an area of approximately 800 square meters. Twelve units of emergency and four units of specialized equipment, as well as six water trucks, were dispatched to extinguish the fire.
The mall is usually crowded with families with children on weekends. Many people celebrate their children's birthdays here.
Eyewitnesses interviewed by Gazeta said they were on the landing when the fire broke out. They said the building quickly turned black. Parents could be seen looking for their children. Upon seeing smoke, people ran outside.
There were reports that the fire exit on the second floor had always been closed.
Report of the fire was received by the Emergency Situations Department at 3:47 PM, and the first fire crews arrived at 3:53 PM. According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Uzbekistan, the fire was contained at 4:50 PM and extinguished at 5:17 PM.
