Tragedy in Rivne: a child has died in a fire
This was reported by the Rivne Regional Police.
What is known about the fire in Rivne
The tragedy occurred on 20 June at around 09:00 on Kulika and Gudachek Street. The fire broke out in a flat on the seventh floor of a block of flats.
According to preliminary information from the police, the 60-year-old owner of the flat, his 51-year-old wife, their 14-year-old son with a disability and their 2-year-old grandson were in the flat at the time. The family were in the kitchen when they smelled smoke coming from the bedroom. The adults began to lead the children out of the flat, but when they returned for their 10-year-old son, who was asleep in his room, they were unable to save him. The fire spread rapidly through the flat. The child died at the scene. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, but the flat was completely gutted.
The police have launched a criminal investigation
Three children and a woman from a neighbouring flat were also taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation. According to the police, their lives are not in danger. Investigators have opened criminal proceedings under articles relating to breaches of fire safety regulations resulting in a fatality, and wilful neglect of child care duties.
Law enforcement officials reported that the family had eight children, five of whom are now adults. According to the police, the man had previously been brought to administrative liability on several occasions, in particular for failing to fulfil his child-rearing responsibilities. Experts are currently establishing the cause of the fire and all the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
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