The explosion occurred on the afternoon of July 21 in one of the apartment buildings on Anapskoye Highway. Several apartments were immediately engulfed in flames. One person died as a result of the incident.

The fire on Anapskoye Highway has already been extinguished. Twenty people and eight pieces of equipment were involved in the firefighting efforts. Preliminary reports indicate that the cause of the fire was an ignition of a gas-air mixture, which caused the flames to spread to three apartments. As a result, windows were shattered, the facade was charred, and a balcony was destroyed.

— The explosion was so powerful that I jumped. I saw black smoke.

— People heard four bangs. But gas doesn’t explode like that—it detonates volumetrically and all at once.

According to eyewitnesses, there was initially a loud bang that caused windows in nearby apartments to shake. Shortly afterward, they noticed a fire in a top-floor apartment. Black smoke and bursts of flames were visible from a distance. The fire was reported around 2:50 PM, and firefighters arrived almost immediately. It was later discovered that a local resident had died.

“An explosion of a gas-air mixture occurred, followed by a fire. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene. After the fire was contained, the body of an elderly man was found in one of the apartments. An investigation is underway, and witnesses are being questioned.”

“A local state of emergency has been declared. Law enforcement is on-site. An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the incident. Residents of the damaged apartments will be provided temporary accommodation at the ‘Novorossiysk’ hotel. Those affected by the emergency will receive material and financial assistance. Unfortunately, an elderly man born in 1929 died.”

Traffic police were also present at the scene, blocking traffic near Anapskoye Highway. All restrictions have now been lifted. The fire was fully extinguished by 6:07 PM. The Novorossiysk prosecutor’s office is conducting an investigation into the gas explosion to determine the cause. If violations are found, appropriate measures will be taken.

Twenty-five people were evacuated from the burning building. Traffic restrictions in the area caused significant disruptions.

Also read: In Anapa, a two-story house belonging to the mother of a well-known local blogger caught fire.

Anapskoye Highway

The **Anapskoye Highway** is a major road in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, connecting the city of Anapa with the surrounding regions, including the Caucasus foothills. Historically, it has served as a vital transport route for trade and tourism, particularly for travelers heading to Anapa’s Black Sea resorts. The highway also passes through areas rich in archaeological sites, reflecting the region’s ancient Greek and Scythian heritage.

Novorossiysk

Novorossiysk is a major port city on Russia’s Black Sea coast, founded in 1838 as a naval base after the Russo-Turkish War. It played a crucial role during World War II as the site of the fierce Battle of Novorossiysk (1942–1943) and is known for its memorials, including the *Malaya Zemlya* monument honoring Soviet soldiers. Today, it is an important industrial and transportation hub, also famous for its winemaking traditions in the nearby Abrau-Dyurso region.

Novorossiysk prosecutor’s office

The Novorossiysk Prosecutor’s Office is a governmental legal body in Novorossiysk, Russia, responsible for overseeing law enforcement, prosecuting criminal cases, and ensuring compliance with Russian law. Established as part of Russia’s prosecutorial system, it operates under the broader framework of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation. While specific historical details about this local office are limited, it plays a key role in maintaining legal order in the strategically important port city of Novorossiysk.

Anapa

Anapa is a coastal town in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai, located on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea. Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BCE, it later became a Genoese trade outpost and an Ottoman fortress before being annexed by Russia in the early 19th century. Today, Anapa is a popular resort destination known for its sandy beaches, archaeological sites, and therapeutic mud spas.