(8 Dec 2006) HEADLINE: Dozens killed in Moscow hospital fire
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CAPTION: A fire in a drug treatment hospital in Moscow killed at least 42 and sent others to the hospital. Arson is suspected. (Dec. 8)
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[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
A DEADLY FIRE BROKE OUT IN A MOSCOW DRUG TREATMENT HOSPITAL WHILE PATIENTS SLEPT EARLY SATURDAY--FILLING WARDS WITH HEAVY SMOKE.
AT LEAST 42 PEOPLE WERE KILLED.
RUSSIA'S CHIEF FIRE INCPECTOR SAID HE WAS 90 PERCENT CERTAIN THE FIRE WAS AN ARSON.
ABOUT 160 PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED FROM THE FIVE-STORY BUILDING.
THE FIRE STARTED IN A CORRIDOR ON THE HOSPITAL'S SECOND FLOOR AND THE ONLY POSSIBLE EXIT WAS BLOCKED BY A LOCKED GATE. BARRED WINDOWS WERE ALSO LOCKED SHUT.
THE FIRE WAS CONFINED TO A SMALL PART OF THE BUILDING BUT THE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF SMOKE ARE LIKELY WHAT KILLED THE PATIENTS WHILE THEY SLEPT.
HOSPITAL WORKERS ARE BEING BLAMED FOR NOT REACTING TO THE FIRE SOONER AND EVACUATING PEOPLE QUICKLY.
WORKERS ARE ALSO BEING ACCUSED OF NOT CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN A TIMELY MANNER.
FIRE INSPECTORS VISITED THE HOSPITAL TWICE EARLIER THIS YEAR AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE BUILDING BE CLOSED BECAUSE OF FIRE SAFETY VIOLATIONS.
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