Massive Fire Engulfs Paint Factory Near St. Petersburg; Air Quality Monitored

A large fire broke out on Monday at the Pigment Plant, a paint factory located in the village of Yanino-1, Vsevolozhsk District, in the Leningrad Oblast region of Russia. The fire rapidly spread, engulfing an area of about 800 square meters. A thick column of smoke billowed into the air, visible even from central St. Petersburg, raising concerns about potential air pollution. According to Fontanka newspaper, approximately 500 tons of flammable liquids were stored at the plant. The fire involved two warehouses, alarming authorities due to the proximity of two gas stations just 300 meters away. Regional health authorities immediately launched an environmental monitoring program. The Interregional Office of Rospotrebnadzor, along with the Federal Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology, dispatched specialists to measure air quality and identify pollutants near the nearest residential area. While the scale of the fire was significant, thankfully no casualties have been reported. This incident highlights the potential dangers of storing large quantities of flammable materials and underscores the importance of stringent safety measures in industrial facilities. The swift response of the authorities in monitoring the air quality and investigating the cause of the fire is reassuring.