A fire broke out in a cafe in the Russian city of Kostroma on Saturday. At least 13 people have died in the accident, while five others are said to be injured. Kostroma region governor Sergei Steennikov said 13 people died in the fire. Five others sustained minor injuries.

The fear of using flare guns is Kostroma is located about 340 kilometers north of Moscow. The population here is 2,70,000. Local officials said the cafe caught fire after someone used a flare gun.

According to Russian media, there was an altercation in the cafe shortly before the fire broke out. However, it is not yet clear whether this was related to the use of flare guns. A suspect has been taken into custody for allegedly using a flare gun. The director of the cafe has also been detained.

Rescue workers pulled 250 people out of the cafe. The roof of the cafe collapsed during the fire, covering an area of ​​more than 3,500 square metres. A criminal investigation has been launched into the incident and the police have arrested a suspect.