Drug addict suspected of setting fire to disco bar in Tatarstan

A local drug addict suspected of setting fire to a disco bar in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, killing two and injuring 27 people, has been detained, investigators said Sunday.

KAZAN, November 15 (RIA Novosti) - A local drug addict suspected of setting fire to a disco bar in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, killing two and injuring 27 people, has been detained, investigators said Sunday.

Firefighters received a call about the fire at the Atmosfera disco bar in Naberezhniye Chelny on Sunday morning. The fire, which engulfed an area of just 10 square meters, was put out 20 minutes later. However, a man and a woman died in the blaze while 27 people were hospitalized, police said.

"A 33-year-old resident of the town of Naberezhniye Chelny having a drug addiction, who was earlier convicted several times, has been detained," investigator Eduard Abdullin said, adding that the man has denied any involvement.

According to investigators, a man holding a canister with its nozzle in flames burst into the disco bar with almost 50 visitors inside. Suddenly the man fell down and the burning liquid poured onto the dance floor, which caused the fire. The man left the bar even though his clothes also caught fire.

Eight people are in intensive care. Those injured, mainly poisoned with combustion products, are aged 20-30.