Probe finds seven responsible for Moscow pipeline blast

The gas pipeline on Ozernaya Street in west Moscow exploded shortly after Russia finished celebrating Victory Day, sending flames up to 200 meters into the air. The fire, Moscow's largest since World War II, was extinguished after 15 hours. Five people were treated for burns and some 14 cars were set ablaze. "The commission has established the set of individuals who were directly responsible for the accident," Mosgaz chief Gasan Gasangadzhiyev said. "In total there were seven people, three of whom were Mosgaz employees." He added that two of the employees had been sacked, while the chief engineer had retained his post as he repeatedly tried to raise the alarm over the poor condition of the pipeline. The other four people were employed by construction companies, Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.