Russia: Fire in summer camp kills 4 children

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - At least four children were killed and 12 others injured in a fire that broke out in a summer camp in southeastern Russia, officials said Tuesday.

The fire started in a children's summer camp in Khabarovsk city on Monday evening, according to the Emergency Situations Ministry.

The fire gutted 20 out of 26 tents where 129 children aged 11-13 were staying, the ministry added.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday called a meeting with his deputies to discuss the incident.

"Obviously, there were gross security violations there. It is necessary to find out who authorized the organization of such a holiday destination," he said.

He also ordered a survey of similar camps in Russia.

The Russian Investigative Committee has begun a probe into the incident, with preliminary data suggesting the use of a heater initiated the fire.