Cafe Owner Arrested for Two Months After Fatal Explosion in Shchuchinsk

The owner of the "Plov Center" cafe in Shchuchinsk has been taken into custody for two months. The court sanctioned the arrest measure against the man on March 4.

The arrest follows a tragic explosion that occurred at the establishment late on the evening of February 26. The incident, captured on video, resulted in a devastating fire.

According to the latest information, nine people lost their lives in the tragedy. Emergency services rescued ten individuals from the scene. A total of 28 people were injured; 13 required hospitalization, while eight received medical treatment and were released.

A criminal case has been initiated over the fire at the cafe under Part 3 of Article 292 of the Criminal Code, which addresses "Violation of fire safety requirements resulting in the negligent death of two or more persons." This charge carries a potential prison sentence of five to ten years.

As of March 5, all remaining patients are under round-the-clock medical supervision. Their condition is reported as stable with no changes. Initially, four patients were in the "Avicenna-Burabay" hospital and another four were in intensive care at the regional hospital.

Firefighters responding to the blaze recovered five 50-liter gas cylinders and two oxygen cylinders from the burning building, preventing further explosions. The exact causes and circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.

An eyewitness described a sudden, powerful explosion that shook windows and engulfed the structure in flames. People began fleeing immediately, many with severe burns. "It all happened very fast," he recounted. "People were running out... All with burns. All the cooks, staff—they were literally falling into the snow." The witness also stated he lost a friend who was a patron at the cafe that night.