Police detain the first state official in the investigation into the Kemerovo fire

For the first time in the investigation into the Kemerovo fire, police have detained a state official, taking into custody Tanziliya Komkova, the head of the region’s building inspection office. She is suspected of abusing her authority in connection with the “Winter Cherry” shopping center, which burned down on Sunday, killing 64 people, including 41 children.

Komkova allegedly allowed the mall to operate without oversight at the site of a confectionary factory. Police have already detained six people who worked at the shopping center in various capacities.