A fire that broke out in one of Moscow’s most distinctive architectural landmarks, the enormous Brutalist-style apartment complex known as Dom Korabl (Ship Building), has resulted in two fatalities, emergency officials reported on Thursday.
The blaze erupted during the night in the imposing structure, which houses approximately 1,000 apartments across its 14 stories. Preliminary investigations point to electrical problems in one of the units as the likely cause of the fire, according to emergency services.
Dom Korabl, often likened to a toppled skyscraper due to its unique horizontal orientation, stretches an impressive 400 meters (1,300 feet) along a main street in south-central Moscow. Its scale is comparable to the length of the largest container ships or the Empire State Building laid on its side, creating a striking gray wall that dominates the cityscape.
The building stands as a testament to Soviet-era architecture and engineering. Constructed by the Soviet Ministry of Medium Machine Building, an organization also responsible for nuclear power plants and warhead development, Dom Korabl was completed in 1986 after a lengthy 14-year construction period.
This incident has not only claimed lives but also raised concerns about the safety and maintenance of Moscow’s aging Soviet-era structures. The Dom Korabl, with its distinctive Brutalist design and historical significance, represents a unique intersection of Soviet architectural ambition and the practical challenges of modern urban living.
apnews
