Blaze Hits Russian Skyscraper; No Injuries Reported
Moscow firefighters battled for several hours to put out a fire in a skyscraper that is billed to become Europe's tallest building.
Helicopters scooped up water from the Moscow River to douse the blaze on several upper floors of the Federation Tower, which is still under construction and not set to open until 2013.
No injuries were reported.
The RIA Novosti news agency said the fire started after a tarpaulin came into contact with a floodlight and caught fire.
Firefighters were forced to climb stairs to reach the blaze
because elevators are not yet in service.
Officials had feared strong winds could spread the fire to surrounding buildings.
The blaze lit up the night sky of the Russian capital.
Photo Gallery:
Fire Breaks Out In Moscow Skyscraper
The Federation Tower is located in Moscow's new business district about four kilometers west of Red Square.
The Federation Tower is to be comprised of several buildings. The fire hit what is to be the tallest with 93 floors.
The project began back in 2003 but was halted in 2008 as the global financial crisis began to bite. Building resumed in 2011.
In August 2000, Moscow's 540-meter Ostankino broadcasting tower, once the world's tallest freestanding structure, caught fire and burned for 26 hours.
Based on reporting by Reuters, dpa, AP, ITAR-TASS, and RIA Novosti
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