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Fire Extinguished At Famed Moscow Religious Site


Fire Rages At Moscow Landmark
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WATCH: A fire breaks out at Moscow's 16th century Novodevichy Convent

A fire in the bell tower of Moscow's famous Novodevichy Convent has been extinguished.

Russian media said the fire began late on March 15 on the wooden scaffolding surrounding the tower, which has been under renovation since late last year.

Officials said the fire burned for about three hours and that no one was injured by the blaze.

The octagonal tower was built in the late 1600s and is more than 70 meters tall.

The 16th century Novodevichy Convent lies on the banks of the Moscow River and is one of Russian capital's most-popular tourist sites.

The convent complex is noted for its famous cathedrals and its cemetery, where many of Russia's most celebrated political and cultural figures are buried, including Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, writers Anton Chekhov and Nikolai Gogol, and musicians Dmitry Shostakovich and Mstislav Rostropovich.

Based on reporting by TASS, Interfax, and AP
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