Mafia May Be Linked to Fire That Killed 23

The Russian mafia might have been responsible for starting a fire that killed at least 23 people at a police headquarters in the southern city of Samara, an official said. More than 30 people were missing, and 30 were reported injured. Investigators initially said an electrical short circuit caused the Wednesday blaze at the regional Interior Ministry headquarters, the Itar-Tass news agency said. Interior Minister Sergei Stepashin, however, noted that his department had recently begun a crackdown on organized crime in the Samara region. He said investigators are looking into the possibility that the fire was deliberately set. Many of those trying to flee the blaze found that the building’s fire escape doors were locked, Russia’s NTV television reported.