"Firefighters and rescuers extinguish a fire caused by a gas pipeline depressurization between Berngardovka and Kovalevo," Gov. Alexander Drozdenko said on Telegram. "There is no threat to the population and the spread of fire to residential areas."
The governor said the exact cause of the fireball that emerged in videos on social media was still being investigated.
No suggestion of sabotage has been mentioned and Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said the explosion was likely the result of "depressurization" in the pipeline, which officials have further reduced to stop the fire, Russian media outlet RIA reported.
Drozdenko said that emergency crew members allowed the gas to burn off and "are getting ready to start repairing the gas pipeline."
The governor also looked to assure local residents and said despite the alarming footage circling social media, the surrounding forest areas were likely not in danger from the fire spreading.
Drozdenko said the Vsevolozhsk thermal power plant has been "switched" to supply oil instead of gas to "ensure uninterrupted heat supply."
No casualties in the blast or ensuing fire have been reported, according to the local governor, according to Fox News.
MP/PR