Fire in St. Petersburg

[acrzybear]

What a loss to Russia, so much history lost


ST PETERSBURG, Russia (Reuters) - A fire gutted a 19th century cathedral in the heart of Russia's second city on Friday, destroying its famous azure domes which attract thousands of tourists every year.

As flames leapt from the main dome of the Troitsky (Trinity) Cathedral -- one of the largest wooden domes in Europe -- passers-by helped to rescue priceless artifacts from its renowned art and religious icon collection.

"The fire services don't have long enough ladders to reach the top of the dome. They have been aiming their water guns at the middle section," Reuters photographer Alexander Demyanchuk said by telephone from outside the cathedral.

The cathedral had been covered by wooden scaffolding during reconstruction work when the fire started.

"The main dome has been destroyed but we could not stop the fire because it was so high and now other domes are in flames," a spokesman for Russia's emergencies ministry told Interfax news agency.

Emergency services said there had been no casualties.

The Troitsky Cathedral, built overlooking one of central St Petersburg's canals, is big enough to hold 3,000 worshippers and also housed the military uniforms of Russian 19th century tsars.

[beattledog]

I saw this on the news last evening.  How bad was the fire?   Can the structure be repaired?


Beattledog

[viking]

The Trinity Cathedral (Russian: Троицкий собор, Troitsky sobor) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, is a late example of the Empire style, built between 1828 and 1835 to a design by Vasily Stasov. The cathedral, which can accommodate up to 3,000 visitors, has only recently begun to be restored to its pre-Revolutionary splendor after years of neglect. On August 25, 2006, with reconstruction work underway, the main dome of the Cathedral collapsed after a fire, as did one of the smaller domes. [1] They do plan to rebuild, and estimate completion in 18 months.

I tried to cut and paste a photo here, but it didn't work.

 

[beattledog]

It is great that this is going to be re-built.  I had  to see such historically sites, accidently or purposely destroyed

beattledog

[Wild Orchid*]

[viking]

WO

I can't seem to open your photos.

[prince_alfie]

So did they figure out the cause of the fire yet?

[Turboguy]

Yes, they did.  I read about it.  Five Russian gals in mini skirts walked down the street and the workers doing the repairs got overheated.

[beattledog]

Yes, I can understand why

beattledog

[prince_alfie]

Interesting so basically five workers got distracted by women and their scaffolding got hot? Yoowzers! Looks like that's a great tale. 

[Wild Orchid*]

WO

I can't seem to open your photos.

You shouldn’t have to open anything, they put through . Does anyone else see them?

[catzenmouse]

You shouldn’t have to open anything, they put through . Does anyone else see them?

They showed up just fine for me. Viking must be drinking that Norse Grog again... 

Ken

[LatinSwede]

Norse Grog? Is it anything like Guardian Mead? Sorry dumb joke. If you saw the Ultimate Avengers movie you'd get it.  It is the drink of choice for Thor (god of Thunder).  By now I'm more partial to Slavutich and Obolon.  Just 2 more months, I hope.  The down side is I can't bring liquids on the plane anymore.  I really wanted to bring back some Slavutich.   

[viking]

Actually the Norse did not drink grog. Grog was drunk by pirates. However, it is quite possible that Thors hammer may have come down a bit heavy on me after finishing that  bottle of Russky Standard that I came home with from SPB last May. For some reason the photos look pretty good now. Thanks WO.

Fortunately, there is still one more bottle left!!!!!

For those traveling, I took a short business trip to Canada a few days ago. I found it interesting that leaving the country there were no problems, but coming back to the states I had to throw out toothpaste, ANY liquids, shaving cream, etc.. You go through US customs up there and they will go through everything.

[catzenmouse]

Actually the Norse did not drink grog. Grog was drunk by pirates.

I must really be slipping. Second time in a few days I have to explain my jokes... 

Norse from your name, Grog from your Pirate like adventure crossing the ocean for wenching and other debauchery like opening a business in Russia.

Ken

P. S. Where did you go in Canada? Many days I really miss living there!

[viking]

Norse from your name, Grog from your Pirate like adventure crossing the ocean for wenching and other debauchery like opening a business in Russia

Ah yes. Wenching and debauchery. Two of my favorie Norse pastimes. Second only to the study of the Kama Sutra and loose women with high libidos.

I was in Ottawa for a few days.

And I will get this business rolling and it will pay for my plane fare across the ocean, for well....wenching and debauchery. LOL.