VLADIVOSTOK, April 21 (RIA Novosti) - Two people have died and 325 people including 18 children have been left homeless by fires that ripped through the Amur Region in Russia's Far East, local emergency services said.
The fires began on Sunday evening and continued until Monday morning in seven districts of the region. Locals had set light to dry grass to free land for farming and other purposes, and the flames were spread by high winds, a police source told RIA Novosti.
A total of 104 houses have been destroyed. One of those who died in the fires was a disabled man who was unable to leave his home.
A total of 50 rescuers have been involved in the firefighting operation. People injured in the fires will receive 20,000 rubles ($900) in compensation, local authorities said.
Over 11,000 hectares have been destroyed in an estimated 59 forest fires currently burning in Russia's Far East, the Natural Resources Ministry said.
